Two players in the foreground with a golden ball in the background and a man in a circular frame in the top right corner — Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé with the Ballon d'Or in the background and Esteban Granero in a circle | Real Madrid Confidencial

Camara — Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé with the Ballon d'Or in the background and Esteban Granero in a circle | Real Madrid Confidencial

Neither Lamine nor Dembélé: Granero's most striking prediction about the Ballon d'Or

He puts another player as a lock to everyone's surprise, and enters the fight

08/06/2025 10:55:00h

Borja Díaz

A few days ago, the Champions League final was played, which PSG won against Inter Milan. After that match, many have considered the season over, even though the Nations League and the Club World Cup remain. Comments about the Ballon d'Or and the candidates have skyrocketed.

Barcelona is trying to promote Lamine Yamal as the only one in the race to win it. However, the truth is that Ousmane Dembélé is the one who's done the most to win it. Especially after winning the Champions League, with the culé being eliminated in the semifinals.

PSG player celebrating a goal with a silence gesture in a packed stadium during a Champions League match

Dembélé making the silence gesture during a celebration | Real Madrid Confidencial

However, comments about possible Ballon d'Or candidates keep coming up. Former footballer Esteban Granero has surprised with the prediction he gave when asked. "For me, the best player in the world is Mbappé, the best player this year has been him" he replied.

Granero brings Mbappé back into the Ballon d'Or race after his season. It's true that during the first few months, he struggled to adapt to Real Madrid and the city. Little by little, he turned his situation around, finishing at an exceptional level.

The Ballon d'Or could bring surprises

On paper, there would be no doubt that Dembélé is going to win the Ballon d'Or this season. He's been the best, and winning the Champions League with PSG has been the icing on the cake for his great performance. However, anything could happen in this edition with the title for the best of the year.

Soccer player in a white Real Madrid uniform pointing to the team’s crest on his jersey during a match

Mbappé pointing to himself during a match with Real Madrid | Real Madrid Confidencial

It wouldn't even be unreasonable to ask for Mbappé to win it after his strong overall performance. Pichichi and Golden Boot as individual honors support his candidacy for the award. The fact that he was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League isn't a big problem.

Last season, the same thing happened to Rodri, who couldn't reach the semifinals and still won the Ballon d'Or. He hadn't been the best of the season, but that didn't matter to the voters. So the possibility of surprises opens up, in an award that's taken less and less seriously.

➡️ First Team