Ballon d’Or 2025: Ex-French star, Papin snubs Mbappe, Dembele names favourite

Former Ballon d'Or winner Papin has snubbed Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, naming Lamine Yamal of Barcelona as his favorite for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award. Yamal, who had an outstanding season with Barcelona, scoring 18 goals and making 25 assists in 55 games, is seen as a deserving candidate by Papin.

The French star believes Yamal's exceptional performance sets him apart from the competition, including Mbappe and Dembele. If Yamal wins the award, he will become the 7th player from Barcelona to do so, with the last winner being Lionel Messi in 2019.

The final decision will be announced on September 22 by France Football.