Golden Ball: Discover the Frontrunner for World's Best Player Award

Dembélé Eyes Historic Ballon d'Or Win as French Football Seeks Sixth Golden Ball

Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé stands as the frontrunner to become France's sixth Ballon d'Or winner, riding high on PSG's historic treble and their first-ever Champions League triumph. With Messi and Ronaldo's era officially over, Monday's ceremony in Paris could mark a new chapter in football's most prestigious individual award.

France's Golden Opportunity at Home

The timing couldn't be better for French football. With the ceremony taking place at the Châtelet Theatre in central Paris, the host nation has a genuine chance to claim its seventh men's Ballon d'Or. France's previous winners read like a who's who of football royalty: Michel Platini (three times between 1983-1985), Raymond Kopa (1958), Jean-Pierre Papin (1991), Zinedine Zidane (1998), and most recently Karim Benzema (2022).

Dembélé's transformation this season has been nothing short of remarkable. The 28-year-old successfully filled the massive void left by Kylian Mbappé's departure to Real Madrid, netting 35 goals while transitioning from winger to striker. This represents his best-ever campaign, far surpassing his impressive 14-goal tally during his standout 2018-19 season at Barcelona.

The End of an Era Opens New Possibilities

For 15 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the Ballon d'Or, sharing 13 awards between 2008 and 2023. But with Messi now at Inter Miami and Ronaldo at Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr, the field has opened up dramatically. Last year's winner, Manchester City's Rodri, is sidelined with a long-term injury, effectively removing him from contention.

This shift mirrors what we've seen in other major awards when dominant figures step aside. The vacuum creates opportunities for players who might have been overshadowed in previous years.

Barcelona's Rising Star Challenges

Dembélé's main competition comes from Barcelona's 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal. The Spanish international has already shown he belongs on the biggest stage, helping Spain win Euro 2024 and earning the tournament's Best Young Player award. His 18 goals in 55 appearances last season contributed to Barcelona's domestic treble, though their Champions League run ended in the semifinals.

Yamal represents the new generation ready to take over from Messi at Barcelona. At just 18, a Ballon d'Or win would make him the youngest recipient in history, though Dembélé's more complete season gives him the edge.

PSG's Collective Success Boosts Individual Claims

PSG's historic season has created an unprecedented situation: eight players from the same club made the 30-man shortlist. Alongside Dembélé, nominees include Achraf Hakimi, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and former goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (now at Manchester City).

This collective recognition reflects how team success increasingly influences individual awards. PSG's 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final capped a perfect domestic season and finally delivered the European trophy that had eluded them.

Notable Absences and Surprising Inclusions

Real Madrid's boycott of last year's ceremony after learning Vinícius Júnior wouldn't win created controversy. Both Vinícius and teammate Jude Bellingham are nominated again despite Madrid's trophy-less season. Meanwhile, Mbappé earns his eighth nomination following his move to Madrid and winning the European Golden Shoe.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah makes the list after leading the Reds to their 20th English league title, matching Manchester United's record. Other contenders include Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres, Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, Chelsea's Cole Palmer, and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.

Women's Award Sees Tight Competition

The women's Ballon d'Or presents an equally intriguing battle. Barcelona's Aitana Bonmatí aims for a third consecutive win after leading Spain to the Euro 2024 final, where she claimed the tournament's best player award. She faces competition from teammate Alexia Putellas (winner in 2021 and 2022) and five players from England's Euro-winning squad.

Brazil's 39-year-old Marta also earned recognition after winning Copa América, making her the oldest nominee on the women's list.

What This Means for Football's Future

The voting system now focuses on seasonal achievements rather than calendar year performance, reflecting football's evolving structure. Journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations vote for the men's award, while the top 50 countries vote for the women's prize.

Dembélé's potential victory would signal that consistency and team success matter more than individual brilliance in isolation. His transformation from injury-prone winger to PSG's main man shows how players can reinvent themselves at the highest level.

As Dembélé told Le Monde: "It's beautiful after a wonderful season with PSG. I think I'm among the favorites, but we'll see what happens." His measured confidence reflects a player who has finally delivered on his immense potential at the perfect moment.