Mbappe and 2 Players Who Could Win the Ballon d'Or Apart from Dembele and Lamine Yamal
- Kylian Mbappe would fancy his chances of winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or even if Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele are favourites
- The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker racked up 44 goals in all competitions in his debut Real Madrid season
- Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele are the top two contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or award
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The 2025 Ballon d'Or is fast approaching, with 30 nominees in the running for one of football’s most prestigious individual awards.
While the spotlight is often on high-profile names like Ousmane Dembele (PSG) and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), there are several other players who have the potential to take home the coveted trophy.
Source: Getty Images
Three such players—Raphinha, Vitinha, and Kylian Mbappé—have been in sensational form over the past year and are looking strong contenders for the Ballon d'Or.
1. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha’s rise at Barcelona has been nothing short of impressive. The Brazilian winger has made a massive impact since his transfer from Leeds United, contributing crucial goals and assists.
According to Transfermarkt, Raphinha's stats last season were 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 games across all competitions for FC Barcelona.
What sets the Brazilian apart is his consistency. Whether it’s his eye for a decisive pass or his ability to score stunning goals from wide positions, Raphinha has been pivotal to Barcelona’s attack.
His chemistry with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal has taken Barcelona’s offensive play to the next level, making him one of the most dangerous wingers in European football.
If the award were to bypass both Dembele and Yamal, Raphinha might find himself in contention for the Ballon d'Or, gaining recognition for his role in the Blaugrana's achievements.
Source: Getty Images
2. Vitinha (PSG)
Vitinha has established himself as a key figure in the Parisians’ midfield. Known for his elegance on the ball, ability to control the tempo of the game, and sharp passing, Vitinha made 59 appearances and scored 8 goals for his team in 2024/25.
What makes Vitinha a potential Ballon d'Or contender is his all-around game and the fact that he won four trophies with the French side last season as a key player.
While it seems improbable that the Portuguese player will win the Ballon d'Or due to the intense competition, he would certainly back himself for the honour.
3. Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
No list of Ballon d'Or candidates would be complete without Kylian Mbappé. The French forward has already won multiple accolades throughout his career and has established himself as one of the best players in the world.
Though Real Madrid lost out on all major trophies last season, Los Blancos lifted the Interncontinental Cup and UEFA Super Cup, according to Wikipedia.
Mbappe finished as Real Madrid's top goalscorer in both all competitions (44) and La Liga (31). With the French national team, the ex-PSG attacker has 2 goals in 4 games in 2025.
While he faces stiff competition from other elite players, Mbappé’s remarkable consistency and the potential for a major individual and team success could give him the edge over others in the running.
Why Dembele deserves Ballon d'Or
YEN.com.gh earlier covered 3 reasons Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain would be a deserving winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
The former Borussia Dortmund winger is tipped by fans and pundits to clinch this year's top honour because of his remarkable 2024/25 form that saw him notch up 35 goals and 16 assists.
Source: YEN.com.gh
