While the FIFA Club World Cup is still underway, for many fans and analysts, the football season is effectively over—at least enough to begin speculating on who will claim the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Traditionally dominated by names like Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembélé, this year’s race may have taken an unexpected twist.
Mbappé, Salah, Raphinha, Yamal, Dembélé? Not According to TNT Sports
Each of the three usual suspects has built a strong case:
Dembélé played a crucial role in Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League triumph.
Mbappé secured the Golden Boot and the La Liga Pichichi trophy as Europe’s top scorer.
Lamine Yamal helped lead Barcelona to both the La Liga title and Copa del Rey victory.
Naturally, all three appeared at the top of nearly every early prediction list for the Ballon d’Or.
But TNT Sports has broken away from the expected narrative, naming Vitinha as their frontrunner for the award. This makes the American media outlet one of the first major platforms to publicly back the Portuguese midfielder as a serious candidate.
Vitinha’s Incredible Season: A Treble and Beyond
Vitinha’s rise to Ballon d’Or contention isn’t without merit. He has had an outstanding year, both at club and international levels:
Domestic treble with PSG: Ligue 1, French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
Nations League champion with Portugal.
Instrumental role: He’s been a key figure in the midfield for both PSG and Portugal, providing structure, creativity, and stability.
His contributions may not always be flashy, but his consistency and influence have been undeniable. In an era where midfield dominance often gets overshadowed by attacking flair, Vitinha has quietly delivered one of the most complete seasons in Europe.
A New Favorite? Or Just a Media Curveball?
For FC Barcelona supporters, Lamine Yamal remains the clear and only deserving candidate. His age, impact, and titles make a compelling case.
Yet, Vitinha’s collective and individual achievements could tip the scale in his favor.
The final decision won’t be made until September 22, when the Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place. And yes, the outcome of the ongoing Club World Cup could still influence the final voting.
Can Mbappé Make a Late Push?
Kylian Mbappé may still have a card left to play. While his season with Real Madrid hasn’t met expectations in terms of major team titles, he has added the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Super Cup to his trophy cabinet.
More importantly, his Golden Boot title as Europe’s top scorer gives him a valuable edge.
Yet, an untimely gastroenteritis sidelined him from PSG’s match against Al Hilal, and he’s unlikely to feature against Pachuca either. If he recovers in time and leads his side to Club World Cup glory, he might just re-enter the conversation in a big way.
Final thoughts?
With a few months to go before the winner is announced, the race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or remains wide open. Whether Vitinha is a dark horse or the rightful heir to the throne, TNT Sports has certainly stirred the debate. And if anything, this surprise pick only adds to the intrigue of football’s most prestigious individual award.
Who do you think deserves the Ballon d’Or this year? Let us know in the comments.