The former Barcelona and PSG will reportedly crown the best player in the world next week at the Ballon d’Or.
The football world will come together once more at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday, September 20, for the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Reports are swirling that France Football’s most coveted award will be presented by the legendary Ronaldinho.
Multiple sources, including Spanish outlet COPE via Mundo Deportivo have claimed the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona maestro will hand out the award, marking the 20th anniversary of his own 2005 victory.
While the news is not officially confirmed by the organisers, the buzz has electrified the footballing community.
The sheer poetry of the moment is not lost on observers.
Both Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal have represented PSG and Barcelona, respectively, the very same clubs that elevated Ronaldinho to global superstardom.
But beyond the historical ties, the Brazilian legend is reportedly set to play a huge role amid the contrasting fortunes of the two leading contenders.
The narrative is no longer just about stats and silverware, it is about a generational passing of the torch.
Lamine Yamal’s case for the Ballon d’Or
Lamine Yamal’s extraordinary season has defied all expectations.
At just 18 years old, he has been a key force behind Barcelona’s success, which saw them claim a domestic treble.
His stats are nothing short of phenomenal: an astonishing 18 goals and 21 assists earned him the prestigious LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Under-23 Player award for the 2024/25 season.
He also set a host of new records, becoming the youngest player to score in a Clásico and the youngest to reach 100 appearances for the club.
While many assume Yamal’s case is built on massive PR from the Spanish League, it is not entirely true.
The Blaugrana star is solidly in this year’s Ballon d’Or conversation based on a breathtaking blend of youthful exuberance and undeniable end product.
The debate centres on whether the award, which traditionally values a career-defining season, can be given to a player so young.
However, his explosiveness on the pitch, including helping Spain win the European Championship in a record-breaking campaign, have made his candidacy impossible to ignore.
Ousmane Dembele’ case for the Ballon d’Or
While Yamal represents the future, Ousmane Dembélé represents a story of redemption and peak performance.
The French international’s transformation at PSG under manager Luis Enrique has been a sight to behold.
A career-best season saw him lead PSG to a historic treble, clinching the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
Dembele was a consistent menace, finishing the season with 32 goals and eight assists.
Numbers don’t lie. His candidacy is backed by powerful figures within the game.
In a recent interview with RMC Sport, PSG Sporting Director Luis Campos was extremely blunt on Dembele’s Ballon d’Or credentials.
“If his name were Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no discussion,” he said.
Campos further insisted that if Dembélé doesn’t win, it suggests a failure on the part of the voters.
Ronaldinho himself has also weighed in on the Frenchman, stating that he has “a bit of a Brazilian style.”
The former PSG star praised Dembele’s unpredictable dribbling and creativity – the exact traits that defined Ronaldinho’s own style of play.
“I don’t like to compare much. I mainly look at my old teams and those that are still in the Champions League. There’s Ousmane Dembélé at PSG. I like him a lot.
“He has a slightly Brazilian style! He’s disconcerting, he invents, he provokes. He’s often unreadable and, what’s more, he scores a lot of goals. He’s revealing himself, bursting into a different role than he did at PSG last year or at Barcelona,” Ronaldinho told L’Equipe via Paris Fans.
A predictable verdict?
For the first time in years, the Ballon d’Or race appears to be a genuine two-horse race, each with a compelling argument.
However, Dembélé remains the leading candidate firmly supported by the silverware and the backing of his club, having dominated on both domestic and continental fronts.
On the other hand, Yamal boasts the individual brilliance and the media buzz of being football’s next superstar.
The decision now rests with the voters, but the final, symbolic act, if the reports are true, will belong to Ronaldinho.
