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Lamine YamalGetty
Chris Burton

Lamine Yamal wins CIES Football Observatory 'Golden Ball' ahead of Kylian Mbappe & Barcelona team-mate Pedri as Ballon d'Or favourite Ousmane Dembele left out of top five

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.

  • GFX Ousmane Dembele Lamine YamalGetty/GOAL

    Who wins Ballon d'Or battle in 2025?

    Yamal is also in the running for that prize after helping Barca to three domestic honours in 2024-25 - including the Liga title. At 18 years of age, one of the hottest prospects in world football continues to rewrite the history books.

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  • Yamal's stunning performances recognised

    He may not walk away with the Golden Ball handed out by France Football at a glitzy ceremony in Paris on September 22, but he has been awarded one by the CIES Football Observatory.

  • How 'Golden Ball' results are generated

    They consider Yamal to have been the best performer in world football over the course of the last 12 months, with six areas of play being analysed before delivering a final rating. Superstar performers are also judged on their sporting level and the results of matches that they figured in.

    CIES Football Observatory Golden Ball 2025Getty Images

  • Top five on CIES Football Observatory list

    Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ Mbappe takes second spot, just ahead of Barca midfielder Pedri. Liverpool’s talismanic captain Virgil van Dijk and Bayern Munich playmaker Michael Olise complete the top five, with Dembele having to settle for seventh place.

  • Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2025Getty

    Messi makes top 100 but no place for Ronaldo

    Barcelona forward Raphinha and free-scoring Bayern striker Harry Kane sit outside of the top 10. Lionel Messi, who is still going strong at MLS side Inter Miami, makes the top 100 - alongside 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric - but there is no place for Al-Nassr icon Cristiano Ronaldo.