Dembele Wins 2025 Ballon d’Or – Yamal & Raphinha Disappointed, Hakimi’s 6th Raises Eyebrows
Stellar Season for Dembele
For Dembélé, the award comes after a year of real resurgence. He played a central role in helping PSG win the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history, along with a domestic double (league + cup), putting up impressive numbers and delivering when it counted. He was emotional in his acceptance speech, dedicating the award to his family, his club, and the fans.
Yamal & Raphinha: Mixed Feelings and Disappointment
While Dembélé’s win is celebrated, Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) was one of the biggest talking points after the announcement. The 18-year-old was seen by many as a frontrunner — his performances in La Liga and in cups were outstanding. Finishing second, he reportedly felt disappointed, as did fans who believed his contributions merited the top spot. His father also voiced strong disapproval, calling the decision a kind of “moral damage,” because he believes Yamal deserved to win
Raphinha, another bright spot from Barcelona, came in 5th. He had a great season too, though arguably not as full of headline-winning moments as the very top few. Many feel he was a dark horse who could have pushed higher, but the awards seem to favor those with Champions League impact and collective trophies. The Times of India+1
Achraf Hakimi’s 6th: Deserved or Surprise?
Achraf Hakimi ended up 6th in the Ballon d’Or voting. For a defender, and in a squad loaded with attacking stars, that’s pretty high. Some may see it as surprising — usually attackers or midfielders dominate the top spots — but Hakimi had a very visible, consistent influence for both PSG and Morocco. If you value not just goals and assists, but defensive work, transition play, leadership and consistency, his 6th place is more than justifiable. That said, for those who prioritize flashy stats and big moments, he might feel overlooked compared to the forwards ahead of him.
Was it Fair?
I believe Dembele won fair and square. His combination of individual brilliance plus trophies (especially the Champions League) tipped the balance. Yamal’s season was remarkable, and in some seasons, that kind of young-talent surge might carry more weight. But this year, the weight of the team achievements seems to have given Dembele the edge.
Raphinha’s 5th was strong, but perhaps his contributions lacked the same decisive moments in the biggest match-ups. Hakimi’s 6th is impressive — better recognition for defenders in such awards would only improve the sense of fairness in these rankings.
Looking Ahead: Who Could Win Ballon d’Or in 2026?
Here are a few guesses for next year’s winner, based on current trajectories and who might step up:
-
Lamine Yamal – He’s young, already extremely talented, and likely to keep improving. If he maintains or ups his output and gets more success in Europe, he’s a top candidate.
-
Mohamed Salah – Always reliable, and if Liverpool (or whichever club he’s in) makes a deep Champions League run plus domestic success, he could push.
-
Kylian Mbappé – If he returns to form, delivers consistently, and is part of big match wins, he’s got the profile.
-
Maybe Achraf Hakimi again, if he remains influential and PSG or another club has big success—defender making such a top-spot is rare, but possible.
-
Or a “dark horse” — maybe someone like an emerging teen, or a midfielder who performs brilliantly in international tournaments
0 Commentaires