The countdown is on for the 2025 Ballon d’Or gala, which can happen tonight on the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The world’s prime soccer gamers will battle to succeed final yr’s winner, Rodri of Manchester Metropolis. Among the many frontrunners are Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain. Ought to Yamal elevate the trophy, he would shatter data because the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in historical past, setting a milestone for each his membership and Spanish soccer.
At simply 18 years previous, Lamine Yamal is on the verge of creating historical past. Solely Ronaldo Nazário got here near such precocity, successful his first Ballon d’Or in 1997 on the age of 21. That triumph got here shortly after leaving Barcelona, earlier than transferring to Inter Milan, the place many think about he performed his most interesting soccer.
If Yamal wins tonight, he would leapfrog not solely Ronaldo but in addition different legends who earned their first Ballon d’Or of their early twenties. The likes of Lionel Messi, Michael Owen, George Finest, and Cristiano Ronaldo all needed to wait longer to succeed in the identical heights.
The youngest winners earlier than Yamal
- Lionel Messi: Gained his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 at age 22, after Barcelona’s historic treble beneath Pep Guardiola. He would go on to say the trophy eight occasions, probably the most in historical past.
- Michael Owen: Captured the award in 2001 at 22 years previous, after a stellar yr with Liverpool.
- George Finest: Took house the trophy in 1968, additionally at 22, throughout his peak years with Manchester United.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Claimed his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 at 23, following a record-breaking marketing campaign with Manchester United.
Ronaldo Nzario shone all through his profession, changing into one in all soccer’s legends.
Yamal’s personal phrases
The Barcelona prodigy mirrored on this risk earlier this yr: “Do I see myself lifting the Ballon d’Or? Sure. Profitable the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or are each goals, particularly successful the Champions League with Barça. The Ballon d’Or is particular—each participant desires it. Being right here at 18 years previous is one thing to understand, and I hope it occurs.”
see additionally
Leaked Ballon d’Or checklist sparks controversy earlier than being denied by organizers
His principal opponents embrace Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, and Vitinha, although hypothesis in Paris suggests the trophy could properly return to the Camp Nou.
Rodri’s view
The present holder, Rodri, shocked many when he gained in 2024 forward of favourite Vinícius Jr. From the second he lifted the trophy, he overtly named Yamal because the inheritor obvious:
“This yr I’ll watch from house, however I hope a teammate wins—whether or not it’s Lamine, Pedri, whoever. It will be superb if we preserve it in Spain. We’re dwelling a fantastic second, and I hope there are various extra.”
Because the clock ticks down, the stage is ready for both historical past to be made or for PSG’s Dembélé to spoil Barcelona’s dream. A technique or one other, the 2025 Ballon d’Or guarantees to be unforgettable.
