Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé believes it’s impossible to predict who will win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, noting that Rodri’s win last year was undeserved.
In a lengthy interview with Le Parisien, Mbappé was asked about Ousmane Dembélé’s clear development this season. He responded, “He’s matured as a player. He’s now 27.”
He added, “Dembélé’s development is natural and hasn’t been delayed, as some might say. I’m very happy for him and I hope he continues like this until we win the 2026 World Cup.”
Regarding Dembélé’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, Mbappé replied, “How can you classify a player as a Ballon d’Or winner these days?”
He continued, “Is Rodri a Ballon d’Or winner for you? He wasn’t. I thought the award would go to Vinicius, but in the end, Rodri won. If I had asked months earlier, I would have been surprised.”
He concluded, “Today, we don’t know who the Ballon d’Or will go to, and we can’t rule out any player. Everyone can be rewarded, perhaps even goalkeepers.”
Dembélé maintains a strong chance of winning the Ballon d’Or, along with the duo Raphinha and Mohamed Salah, with the Brazilian Barcelona star clearly ahead of the other two.
