The football world was set alight on August 7th as the nominees for the prestigious Ballon d\u2019Or were officially revealed. The award was once firmly held on lockdown by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with the all-time great duo claiming the famous golden trophy 13 times between them between 2008 and 2023. Now, however, a new dawn is upon us, and new contenders have risen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s shortlist features a fascinating mix of seasoned superstars and breakout sensations. Scotland’s Scott McTominay<\/a> is perhaps a surprise nominee after revitalizing his career in Italy, winning the Serie A MVP award, having led Napoli to the Scudetto. Kylian Mbappe is also nominated, having finished as Europe’s top goalscorer in his maiden campaign at Real Madrid. However, neither of them is expected to win the award, despite their stellar campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the announcement celebrates football\u2019s abundant talent pool, the race for the award is anything but broad. There\u2019s a clear frontrunner\u2014Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, whose scintillating 2024\/25 campaign has positioned him as the odds-on favorite. However, with exciting fellow athletes chasing him for the crown, let’s take a look at the leading contenders to win the Ballon d’Or.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 28, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 has finally fulfilled the immense potential he displayed eight years ago, potential that prompted Barcelona to part with an almighty \u20ac145m to secure his services. Now back in his homeland with Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman delivered a campaign that will be etched in football folklore, playing a pivotal role in his team\u2019s treble-winning season. Across 53 matches, the former Dortmund man registered a jaw-dropping 35 goals and 16 assists, becoming his side’s talisman in their greatest-ever season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pinnacle came in the UEFA Champions League final, where PSG dismantled Inter Milan 5-0 in a record-breaking performance that underlined Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s influence. Now, while online sportsbooks make the pacey attacker the favorite to be named the best player on the planet, they also make his team the favorites to reign over Europe once again next term. The latest odds from the popular Bovada online sportsbook<\/a> currently make the Parisians a 5\/1 frontrunner to successfully defend their crown.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time and again, Dembele delivered on the biggest stages last season, using his relentless drive to inspire a team that finally conquered Europe for the first time in its history. Pundits consider him the clear favorite for his ability to transform PSG\u2019s potential into tangible triumphs, something that the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and even the great Lionel Messi were unable to do. It’s hard to argue when you consider the hardware\u2014Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Troph\u00e9e des Champions, and the all-important Champions League trophy are all now part of PSG\u2019s collection, largely thanks to Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s season of a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n