The stage is set for the 69th Ballon d’Or, and one thing is already almost certain: Brazilian legend Ronaldinho will present football’s most prestigious individual award on Monday night.
Reports say that Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is expected to present the award, exactly 20 years after he won it himself in 2005.
The news hasn’t been confirmed yet, but several trusted sources, including COPE and Mundo Deportivo, say it’s very likely.
The choice of Ronaldinho feels poetic. The iconic playmaker starred for both Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, the very clubs whose current stars—Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal—are locked in a head-to-head race for the 2025 crown.
Both players have compelling cases, but pundits suggest Dembélé’s European
triumph gives him a slender edge over Yamal, who fell short in the Champions League semi-finals.
Tomorrow night, the debate will be settled.
Lamine Yamal – The Young Star
At just 18 years old, Yamal has taken the footballing world by storm. He spearheaded Barcelona’s historic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa), racking up:
- 18 goals
- 21 assists
- Best Under-23 Player in La Liga
- Youngest scorer in El Clásico
- Youngest player to reach 100 games for Barcelona
His brilliance carried over to the international stage, where he helped Spain lift the European Championship. Many believe his precocity and influence make him a once-in-a-generation talent worthy of winning the Ballon d’Or at such a young age.
Ousmane Dembélé – The Comeback King
Dembélé produced the season of his life under Luis Enrique at PSG. The Frenchman led his side to a treble of Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and—most significantly—the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
His numbers speak volumes:
- 32 goals
- 8 assists
- Match-winning performances in decisive games
Dembélé has earned widespread praise, with Ronaldinho himself saying: “He has a bit of Brazilian style – he dribbles, creates, and surprises you.”
PSG sporting director Luis Campos went further, insisting: “If his name was Messi or Ronaldo, this wouldn’t even be a debate.”
