Ballon d’Or 2025 Prediction: Ryan Cherki Tips Kylian Mbappe or Ousmane Dembele as Top Contenders
Published by Springnewsng Media Limited
Date: June 3, 2025
Category: Football | Ballon d’Or 2025
As excitement builds ahead of the Ballon d’Or 2025, Lyon midfielder Ryan Cherki has named his top two picks for the prestigious award — both of whom hail from France.
In a media interaction ahead of the highly anticipated France vs Spain clash on June 5, Cherki tipped Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele as the two standout players deserving of the Ballon d’Or this year. According to Cherki, the French duo have outshined global competitors throughout the 2024/2025 season.
“Ballon d’Or? The two best players in the world are French — Mbappé and Dembélé. It’s hard to choose one,” said Cherki.
The Lyon star believes that Mbappe and Dembele’s performances have eclipsed those of other international stars, including Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Raphinha (Barcelona), and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Dembele, in particular, has had a sensational season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The winger played a key role in PSG’s historic quadruple-winning campaign, which was capped off with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final last Saturday. The triumph made PSG only the second club in history to win four major trophies in a single season.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, now shining at Real Madrid, has continued to impress on the European stage with his clinical performances and leadership on the pitch, making him a top favorite among analysts and fans alike for the 2025 award.
With both stars in top form heading into the EURO 2025 tournament, the race for the Ballon d’Or appears to be a showdown between two French icons.
