69th BALLON D'OR CEREMONY

The football world holds its breath as the 69th Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place tonight at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with two young stars emerging as the clear favorites for the sport's most prestigious individual award. Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal are at the forefront of a highly-anticipated race that is expected to see a first-time winner crowned.
Dembélé, the French winger, is the bookmakers' favorite after a sensational season that saw him play a pivotal role in PSG's historic quadruple, including their maiden UEFA Champions League title. The 27-year-old's resurgence and influential performances have made him the standout contender. However, his presence at the ceremony is in doubt as PSG's match against Olympique Marseille was rescheduled to the same night due to weather, creating a significant clash.
Providing the main competition is Barcelona's teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal. At just 18 years old, Yamal had a breakout season, instrumental in his club's domestic double of LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. His remarkable stats—18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions—have cemented his place as a top contender and a favorite for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young male player.
While Dembélé and Yamal dominate the headlines, the field of nominees is filled with other world-class talent. The Premier League's best hopes come from Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who led his team to a league title with an outstanding individual campaign. Fellow nominees from the English top flight include Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Harry Kane.
A significant change for this year's awards is the introduction of new categories for women's football, creating parity with the men's awards. This includes the Women's Yashin Trophy, Women's Gerd Müller Trophy, and Women's Kopa Trophy.
In the Women's Ballon d'Or race, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí is aiming for a third consecutive title after a stellar season. She faces strong competition from several English players following the Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph, including Arsenal's Leah Williamson and Alessia Russo.
The ceremony will also feature awards for the best goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy), top scorer (Gerd Müller Trophy), best coach (Johan Cruyff Trophy), and Club of the Year for both men's and women's football.
The results, decided by an international jury of journalists, are a closely guarded secret. The football world will be watching to see who is crowned the best player of the 2024/25 season.