Neither Vinícius nor Lamine: Mbappé surprises everyone with his verdict for the Ballon d'Or

Even though there are still a few months left before the Ballon d'Or gala is organized, conversations about the next winner of this individual award have already begun. Especially because of everything that has happened in the European soccer elite during the 24/25 season, a campaign that would change the odds for the candidates for this trophy.

One of the players present in the conversations about the next Ballon d'Or is Kylian Mbappé. Even though he hasn't performed as was desired during the current soccer season, his great goal-scoring ability has made him gain a lot of ground in that candidacy. To the point of being asked about his favorite to win the trophy organized by France Football and UEFA.

The question about the next Ballon d'Or winner, in Kylian Mbappé's own words, was answered today. On the occasion of the match against Germany next Sunday, Real Madrid's number 9 answered that question posed by a journalist. Far from fueling speculation, he was very clear.

Because the Ballon d'Or according to Kylian Mbappé's opinion has a very clear recipient: "my vote is for Ousmane Dembélé". With that brief phrase, the Madridist forward points to PSG's number 10 as the favorite to win the individual award for 2025. The sporting merits accumulated by the French striker, in his compatriot's judgment, are impossible to match or surpass.

He doesn't have many doubts

That's why he would have chosen one of the leaders of the current sports project of the rouge-et-bleu club. Under the tactical command of Luis Enrique, Ousmane Dembélé is showing all the quality he has in his boots... to the point of being one of the main people responsible for PSG's first treble in their history.

The great European campaign completed by the Parisian club elevates Dembélé even more to a position in which he is supported by Kylian Mbappé. In this context, the Bondy striker sets himself apart from two players with whom he has shared the field on multiple occasions this season: Lamine Yamal and Vinícius Jr.

In this context, Kylian Mbappé rules out one of the main candidates to challenge Dembélé for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The impression Lamine Yamal has left this season does place him as a possible candidate, but the records accumulated in the competitions weaken the optimism in Barcelona. Vinícius is aware that it hasn't been his best season and he is more focused on returning to the level that made him the winner of the trophy for many weeks.

Kylian Mbappé is clear: Dembélé deserves the Ballon d'Or for his performance during the current soccer season... even if that means the elimination of his teammate Vinícius or even himself. The Golden Boot won this season wouldn't be a strong enough argument, according to the striker from Madrid, to challenge his compatriot's sporting achievements.