Ronaldinho to present 2025 Ballon d’Or: Dembélé or Yamal set for glory?
Football royalty will gather at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday, September 22, for the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The biggest individual prize in football always promises drama, but this year’s edition may feature an unforgettable twist. Reports suggest that Ronaldinho, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner, will present the award to this year’s champion.
Although not officially confirmed by France Football, multiple outlets including COPE and Mundo Deportivo have claimed the Brazilian icon will play a central role. The timing is symbolic: exactly 20 years after his own crowning moment, Ronaldinho could now hand the award to a new star carrying the legacies of his former clubs, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
A Passing of the Torch
The two frontrunners for this year’s prize, Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal, each represent more than statistics. They embody the next chapter in the story of the clubs where Ronaldinho himself reached global superstardom.
- Dembélé, reborn under Luis Enrique at PSG, has delivered on years of untapped promise with a season of pure dominance.
- Yamal, just 18, has shattered age-old records at Barcelona, cementing his status as the sport’s brightest rising star.
The stage is set for a symbolic “passing of the torch,” whether to the seasoned Frenchman at his peak or the Spanish teenager who might define the next decade.
Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or Case
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has had a campaign for the ages. At just 18 years old, he spearheaded his club’s domestic treble triumph, recording 18 goals and 21 assists across competitions.
His season was littered with milestones:
- Youngest player to score in El Clásico
- Youngest to reach 100 appearances for Barcelona
- Winner of the LALIGA EA SPORTS Best U-23 Player award
Yamal also played a starring role for Spain at Euro 2024, guiding them to continental glory in a record-breaking tournament. His style, explosive, fearless, and creative, has turned him into the face of football’s future.
The debate is whether the Ballon d’Or, historically awarded for defining seasons by established stars, should be handed to someone so young. Yet Yamal’s achievements this season make it impossible to ignore his candidacy.
Read also: Raphinha named La Liga Player of the Year, Yamal crowned Best Youngster
Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or Case
If Yamal embodies the future, Ousmane Dembélé represents redemption. After years of inconsistency, injuries, and criticism, the Frenchman has delivered a career-best season at PSG.
Guided by Luis Enrique, Dembélé scored 32 goals and provided 8 assists, driving PSG to an historic treble: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and their long-awaited first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy.
His dribbling, flair, and creativity have drawn comparisons with Ronaldinho himself. The Brazilian has publicly praised Dembélé’s style, calling him “slightly Brazilian” in his unpredictability and invention. PSG Sporting Director Luis Campos was even more emphatic:
“If his name were Messi or Ronaldo, there would be no discussion. If he doesn’t win, it’s a failure of the voters.”
Dembélé’s supporters argue that his season checks every Ballon d’Or box: individual brilliance, consistency, and team success at the highest level.
Read also: Dembélé named 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season
Who will Ronaldinho Crown?
The 2025 Ballon d’Or looks set to be the most hotly debated in recent memory. Dembélé has the silverware, consistency, and the push from within PSG. Yamal, meanwhile, has the narrative, the records, and the aura of a generational superstar in the making.
Read also: How Much is the Ballon d’Or Trophy Really Worth?
The decision ultimately rests with the voters, but if the reports prove true, the final flourish belongs to Ronaldinho. Two decades after being named the world’s best, the legendary playmaker may now place the crown on either Dembélé’s head or that of Yamal, the teenager who could rule the next era of football.
Key Takeaways:
- Ronaldinho is reportedly set to present the 2025 Ballon d’Or in Paris.
- Main contenders: PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
- Dembélé powered PSG to a historic treble with 32 goals.
- Yamal inspired Barcelona’s treble and Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph at just 18.
- Ceremony takes place September 22, 2025, at Théâtre du Châtelet.
SportsLigue