Mbappé backs Dembele to win Ballon d'Or as he plans to skip ceremony
France captain says he will watch on television as Dembele is the favourite to lift the Ballon d'Or
Kylian Mbappé has disclosed who he is backing to win the Ballon d'Or and said he will again snub the ceremony. The event is set for Monday night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with France forward Ousmane Dembele the heavy favourite to lift football's top individual prize. Other nominees include Lamine Yamal and Vitinha, while Mbappé — who has never won the Ballon d'Or — is not expected to be among the frontrunners this year.
Mbappé has been vocal in his support for Dembele, the France teammate who helped Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League last season. "I'll watch the ceremony on television," Mbappé said. "I hope Dembele wins." The 2025 ceremony, like last year's, will again occur with Mbappé choosing not to attend in person.
Ballon d'Or voting is conducted by journalists from 100 FIFA-ranked nations rather than the players themselves, underscoring the global reach of football's premier individual prize. While Mbappé’s public backing draws attention, the official result is determined by the media from those 100 nations.
Mbappé's decision to stay away continues a pattern, with Real Madrid not sending a delegation to last year's ceremony after reportedly gaining confidence in the outcome beforehand. The broader backdrop has included reaction from Real Madrid figures amid speculation about the potential winner and the award's criteria readings.
In the previous Ballon d'Or cycle, Vinícius Júnior was tipped by some outlets to win, but the prize ultimately went to Manchester City's Rodri. The episode sparked debate over how the award is perceived and the criteria used by voters. Real Madrid legends and officials at times publicly questioned the process and outcomes surrounding Vinícius’s candidacy, though no formal alteration to voting procedures occurred.
No player or club knows the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or ahead of Monday's ceremony, organizers have reminded audiences as voters across the globe submit their ballots. The event is scheduled for Monday night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, continuing to draw global attention to football's most esteemed individual accolade.
