Dembele, Yamal, Salah Lead 2025 Ballon d'Or Race

Ousmane Dembele is the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or after leading PSG to their first Champions League title, earning Champions League Player of the Season, and achieving a domestic treble with 33 goals and 13 assists. France coach Didier Deschamps and several teammates have publicly backed Dembele. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's 17-year-old sensation, remains a key challenger, especially after pushing Spain past France in the Nations League semi-final. Mohamed Salah is also in contention after a prolific season with Liverpool, but his lack of Champions League success may weaken his case. The Ballon d'Or nominees will be announced in August, with the ceremony scheduled for September 22. Results from the Club World Cup and Nations League are expected to have a significant impact on the final decision.