Kylian Mbappe has snubbed Lamine Yamal in naming his pick for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The Frenchman was expected to light up European football after his blockbuster free transfer to Real Madrid last summer. And while he delivered individually - scoring 43 goals in 56 games to win the European Golden Shoe - a rare season without a major honour in Carlo Ancelotti’s farewell campaign has dented his chances of claiming football’s top individual honour.
Still, as one of the world’s top strikers, Mbappe’s opinion carries serious weight. With no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in this year’s mix, the door is left wide open for a second new winner in as many years following Rodri’s capture of the Golden Ball last time out. Yamal - touted by Ronaldo himself to become the best of the new generation - is among the elite contenders, alongside Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, and Paris Saint-Germain's wonderkid Desire Doue.
But Mbappe has looked elsewhere, and has backed the man who stepped into his old shoes at PSG, Ousmane Dembele, as the cream of the crop.
EPL_Ballon d'Or 2025 Power Rankings Related
Ballon d'Or 2025 Power Rankings
The race for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award is heating up with Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele among the front-runners.
Mbappe Tips Ousmane Dembele To Win 2025 Ballon d'Or
He was instrumental in PSG's treble-winning season
Ousmane Dembele
PSG’s shift in transfer policy - ditching their big-name galactico approach in favour of a more balanced blend of youthful hunger and seasoned quality - paid off handsomely last season. And at the heart of Luis Enrique’s masterplan was Dembele, the undisputed crown jewel. He notched eight goals and six assists in the Champions League, playing a pivotal role in securing his side's elusive maiden European title.
With 21 goals to his name in Ligue 1 as well, the France international is leaving his reputation as an expensive Barcelona misfire firmly in the rearview mirror. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Mbappe, Dembele's national team captain, said as per GOAL:
"Would I vote for Dembele? Yes. I don't think it needs much explaining. People are talking about Lamine Yamal and Dembele, but my choice is clear: I vote for Dembele."
There’s likely a tinge of envy in Mbappe’s view of Dembele given that he left Paris in pursuit of continental glory, only to watch his direct replacement achieve what he couldn’t at the first time of asking.
Now a Real Madrid player, his choice of Dembele over Yamal for the Ballon d’Or becomes even more understandable, especially considering the 17-year-old has been instrumental in Barcelona pipping Los Blancos to every domestic trophy this season, as the teenage sensation became a constant thorn in Mbappe's side.
Adding to Yamal’s case, he bagged a brace last week as Spain edged out France 5-4, booking their spot in Monday night’s Nations League final at Munich’s Allianz Arena - another attacking masterclass that left Mbappe scratching his head over his sudden change in fortune.