Ousmane Dembele has emerged as the clear front-runner in the 2025 Ballon d’Or race, sitting at -500 odds after a standout showing in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Teenage superstar Lamine Yamal trails behind at +400, but it appears he's run out of racetrack as the 2025 season comes to a close.
Join me as I break down the soccer odds for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
Ballon d'Or 2025 winner odds
| Player |  |
|---|---|
 Ousmane Dembélé |
-500 |
 Lamine Yamal |
+400 |
| Vitinha |
+1000 |
| Raphinha |
+1600 |
 Cole Palmer |
+2000 |
| Achraf Hakimi |
+2500 |
| Fabian Ruiz |
+2500 |
Odds as of 7-15
2025 Ballon d'Or favorite
Ousmane Dembele Ballon d'Or odds
Ousmane Dembele is having a year to remember in the French capital.
The polarizing winger is among the most important reasons why PSG was able to win the treble, including their first-ever Champions League title.
He's scored 34 goals in 52 matches in all competitions, and he added two assists in the biggest Cup game of the season.
After a solid showing at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored twice and added an assist in four appearances, Dembele is now the odds-on favorite to win the award.
Who will win the 2025 Ballon d'Or?
The list of candidates for the 2025 Ballon d'Or is long and filled with players with excellent qualities. If Dembele does not win it, here are a few players who may have a case:
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal is the real deal. Every time he steps onto the pitch, he seems to break records. And as a potential Ballon d'Or finalist, he would be the youngest player to ever win the award, by over four years (Brazilian Ronaldo was 21 in 1997).
He was the youngest player to feature in last year's Euros, aged just 16 years and 338 days. And he even went as far as scoring in the semifinals against France, and lifting the trophy for Spain, which earned him UEFA's Young Player of the Tournament honors.
His play has been godly at times this year, between scoring world-class goals, setting up his teammates, and dazzling with his dribbling, and he's a large reason why Barcelona won La Liga.
In his latest triumph, Yamal was excellent vs. France in the UEFA Nations League semifinal, scoring a pair of goals and finishing with an 8.7 match rating.
Raphinha
There was a time not long ago when Barcelona fans were growing frustrated with Raphinha’s inconsistency.
But this season, the Brazilian winger has flipped the narrative, emerging as a driving force behind Barcelona’s success and a leading contender for individual honors as he guides his team into the Champions League semifinals.
Raphinha has racked up 13 goals in European competition and added 18 more in La Liga. He’s delivered in big moments, often changing games with a moment of brilliance.
What is the Ballon d'Or?
The Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) is the world's most prestigious men's soccer honor, awarded every year by France Football magazine. The Ballon d'Or is given to the player, worldwide, judged to have had the best individual season both at club level, as well as for his country.
When is the Ballon d'Or awarded?
The Top 3 for the honor will be revealed in early September, with the winner announced at the 69th annual Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday, October 27.
Previous winners of the Ballon d'Or
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Rodri |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi |
| 2022 | Karim Benzema |
| 2021 | Lionel Messi |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi |
| 2018 | Luka Modric |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi |
Ballon d'Or FAQs
Ousmane Dembele is the favorite at -138, with Lamine Yamal right behind him at +100.
Lionel Messi has won the most Ballon d'Or trophies with eight, including three in the last five years.
Real Madrid and Barcelona lead the way with 12 winners each.
Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin (1963) remains the only goal keeper to win the award.
The Ballon d'Or will be awarded on Monday, October 27 at a soccer gala in Paris, France.
