Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane has aired his ambition to become a Ballon d’Or contender, having maintained stunning individual standards with Bayern Munich, while revealing the secrets behind his current form. One of the greatest goalscorers to have ever played the game has been red hot at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, suggesting that he could come into contention for a prestigious Golden Ball award.

Barcelona legend Xavi has explained why Lamine Yamal was beaten to the 2025 Ballon d’Or by Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. One exciting forward that used to grace the books at Camp Nou pipped one that is starring in the present to the title of best player on the planet. Dembele fended off the challenge of teenage wonderkid Yamal to collect the first Golden Ball of his career.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele bizarrely compared his achievement to a goal he scored against Tottenham for Barcelona back in 2018. The Paris Saint-Germain star was given the honour of being named the world's best player throughout last season and he feels his drive to claim the trophy resembles a particular goal from seven years ago.

Hansi Flick admitted Ousmane Dembele “deserved” the Ballon d’Or after the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s spectacular season, while insisting Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has taken finishing second in his stride. Flick revealed Yamal is "motivated" to win the prize in the near future and ready to respond with performances as Barca prepare for their upcoming fixtures.

Lamine Yamal won his second consecutive Kopa Trophy on Monday night, while at the same time finishing as runner up in the men's Ballon d'Or vote to Ousmane Dembele. This is not normal, of course. The kid is still only 18, which makes us think that we're witnessing the dawning of a new era of domination by a single player.

La Liga president Javier Tebas believes that Lamine Yamal only missed out on the 2025 Ballon d'Or because of his age. The Barcelona superstar was pipped to the post by Paris Saint-Germain ace Ousmane Dembele, but Tebas believes it is only a matter of time before the teenager picks up the prize as the world's best footballer.

Sunderland congratulated Ousmane Dembele on his Ballon d'Or success due to a unique connection with the Paris Saint-Germain superstar. The winger was crowned the world's best footballer at a glitzy awards ceremony on Monday night and the Black Cats took to Instagram to pay tribute to a player who has never kicked a ball for them.

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has issued a mature statement after losing out to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele in the Ballon d'Or race on Monday. The teenage attacker had a stellar 2024-25 campaign with Barca, but Dembele was ultimately crowned the best player on the planet after leading PSG to the treble.

Former Real Madrid footballer Alvaro Benito provided his thoughts on the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, which saw Ousmane Dembele being crowned as the best player in the world, ahead of rival Lamine Yamal. While Benito admitted that the PSG forward deserved the award, he was unhappy about where Pedri finished in the rankings and was brutally critical of the journalists who vote.

Lionel Messi is in line for more Ballon d’Or recognition after seeing Inter Miami nominated for a new award. Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele walked away with the Golden Ball in 2025, with the one-time Barcelona team-mate of Argentine icon Messi being named the best player on the planet. Several other prestigious prizes have been handed out.

Neymar has taken a clear swipe at France Football while raging over Raphinha's final Ballon d'Or position. The Brazil and Barcelona winger finished fifth in the final vote, while Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele scooped the main prize ahead of second placed Lamine Yamal. Raphinha played a key role for Barca alongside Yamal as they won three domestic titles last season.

Ousmane Dembele has been paid a special tribute by adidas in the wake of his Ballon d’Or triumph, with a nod being offered to the Paris Saint-Germain star’s Steph Curry-inspired goal celebration. The France international, who is clearly a big fan of NBA icons, has been named the best player on the planet in 2025 - allowing a place in the history books to be secured.

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele hailed "wonderful" Barcelona rival Lamine Yamal after beating him to the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Dembele scooped the award ahead of Yamal after leading PSG to three trophies in 2024-25, including their maiden Champions League title.

France Football's editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia has confirmed that Ousmane Dembele beat Lamine Yamal to the 2025 Ballon d'Or by a "wide margin". Dembele and Yamal were the last men standing among the 30 nominees but it was the Paris Saint-Germain star who ultimately claimed the award after a historic 2024-25 season.

Lionel Messi sent a special message to ex-Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele to congratulate him on winning the Ballon d'Or this year. Dembele edged out Blaugrana sensation Lamine Yamal to grab the Golden Ball. The French winger experienced the best season of his career in the 2024-25 campaign as he inspired Paris Saint-Germain to a historic treble.

Ousmane Dembele was presented with the Ballon d'Or for 2025 at a typically lavish ceremony in Paris on Monday night, capping a remarkable redemption at Paris Saint-Germain for a player regarded by Barcelona fans as one of the worst signings in the club's history.

Lamine Yamal’s father has branded Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win the “greatest moral harm” in football, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward walking away with a prestigious Golden Ball in 2025. Barcelona wonderkid Yamal had to settle for a runner-up finish despite those in Catalunya being of the opinion that the 18-year-old is undoubtedly “the best player in the world”.

Ousmane Dembele has joined the likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane in an elite trophy club after being named the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was crowned the best player on the planet at a glitzy ceremony in the French capital, with the France international fending off competition from Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.

It is the year 2025 and Ousmane Dembele is a Ballon d'Or winner. It's a reality that might require a little getting used to, as the Paris Saint-Germain superstar's path to this point has been far from smooth, but it is a fitting end point nonetheless.

Paris Saint-Germain have been ranked as the Men's Club of the Year at the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala after Les Parisiens won a historic quadruple led by Luis Enrique. Arsenal were named the Women's Club of the Year after their massive Women's Champions League campaign last season under Renee Slegers, becoming the first side to dethrone Barcelona from the pedestal.

Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman have landed the top coaching accolades at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards following their sensational seasons in charge of Paris St-Germain and England’s Lionesses. Enrique led PSG to an historic treble, winning the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and their first-ever Champions League title, while Wiegman guided England to Euro 2025 success.

Lamine Yamal has been named the world’s best young player for the second year running after landing the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris. The teen sensation was instrumental in Barcelona's success, winning the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup in the 2024-25 season. And he played a starring role in Spain’s triumphant run to glory at last year’s European Championship.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been named the 2025 Yashin Trophy award winner after helping Paris Saint-Germain to a quadruple, including the Champions League. The Italian has since joined Manchester City after being frozen out of the squad by Luis Enrique. Donnarumma dethroned Emiliano Martinez as the best men's goalkeeper in the world, with the Argentine goalkeeper having won the last two editions.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, including where to watch it all live.

With the Ballon d'Or ceremony just hours away, a former winner has given his verdict on the two frontrunners. He revealed his vote would go to Barcelona's Lamine Yamal for his "unpredictable" style, but concedes that Ousmane Dembele's Champions League triumph with Paris Saint-Germain might "tip the scales" in his favour.

Harry Kane could win the Ballon d'Or at Bayern Munich if he leads them to Champions League glory, according to the club legend Lothar Matthaus. The German icon explained that he is most impressed by the striker's "playmaker" assists, not just his goals, and urged him to finish his career in the Bundesliga.

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan has entered a last-minute please for Mohamed Salah to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or as he appealed for fair treatment for the Liverpool forward. Hassan also hailed Salah as a "role model for all success seekers" in a passionate social media statement. Salah scored 34 goals across all competitions for the Reds last season and played a pivotal role in the team's Premier League title success.

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been named “Golden Ball” winner by CIES Football Observatory, with Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe claiming the runner-up spot. There is no place in the top five for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele despite the World Cup-winning France international being favourite to land the coveted Ballon d’Or in 2025.

Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will reportedly give out the 2025 Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday night as Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal vie for football's most prestigious individual award. Dembele is being tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Ball after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble success last season.