Ousmane Dembélé emerges as one of the undisputed favorites for the 2025 Ballon d’Or following an exceptional season, highlighted by his title as top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals and being named the best player of both the French championship and the Champions League. These outstanding performances place him at the center of attention and fuel a passionate debate about the race for this prestigious individual award.
However, despite his favorable status, Dembélé faces a major challenge: the fragmentation of votes at the time of voting. The competition among top candidates is fierce, and the large number of contenders could split the votes, thereby diluting the French winger’s chances. This phenomenon may play a decisive role in the final outcome, as a divided vote can benefit a candidate with a more homogeneous support base.
Moreover, Dembélé has significant moral support, notably from Lionel Messi, his former teammate and two-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has greatly contributed to his development on the field. This influence has strengthened Dembélé’s confidence and football maturity—key elements for aspiring to such an individual honor on the global stage.
In this context, the 2025 Ballon d’Or final promises to be open but uncertain for Dembélé. His accomplished season gives him a solid foundation, but he will likely need to unite and gather the majority of votes to counter the probable vote fragmentation. His victory will therefore depend as much on his sporting exploits as on his ability to overcome the challenge of competing against many talented candidates this year.