Ronaldinho to present 2025 Ballon d’Or award to winner in Paris
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldinho. Photo Credit- Goal.com
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is poised to add a touch of magic to the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he will reportedly present the prestigious award to its recipient. The event, organized by France Football, is scheduled for Monday, September 22, at the iconic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Ronaldinho, a former Ballon d’Or winner himself in 2005, brings unparalleled flair to the occasion, having dazzled fans during his stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, clubs now represented by this year’s leading contenders. The announcement underscores the award’s tradition of honoring global icons, blending nostalgia with the excitement of crowning the world’s best player.
The 2025 edition pits PSG’s Ousmane Dembele against Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in a fiercely contested race. Dembele, 28, spearheaded PSG’s historic treble, including the UEFA Champions League, with an impressive haul of 32 goals and eight assists, earning praise for his inventive, “slightly Brazilian” style that echoes Ronaldinho’s own unpredictable genius. PSG Sporting Director Luis Campos lauded the forward, stating, “If his name were Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no discussion,” while adding that a loss for Dembele would signal “a failure on the part of the voters.” Ronaldinho himself weighed in via L’Equipe, expressing admiration: “He’s disconcerting, he invents, he provokes… He’s revealing himself, bursting into a different role.” On the other side, 18-year-old Yamal orchestrated Barcelona’s domestic treble, notching 18 goals and 21 assists, while also starring in Spain’s European Championship triumph. His milestones include becoming the youngest scorer in a Clásico and reaching 100 appearances for Barça, marking him as a prodigy in the making.
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As anticipation builds for the ceremony, Ronaldinho’s involvement symbolizes a poetic full-circle moment, linking past mastery with emerging talents from his former clubs. The Ballon d’Or, long regarded as football’s ultimate individual accolade, continues to captivate with its blend of achievement and artistry. Fans and pundits alike await the reveal, which could either affirm Dembele’s resurgence or herald Yamal as the sport’s next supernova.
FAQs on the 2025 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
1. Who is presenting the 2025 Ballon d’Or award?
Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, a 2005 winner, is set to present the award, adding a symbolic touch given the finalists’ ties to his former clubs, PSG and Barcelona
2. When and where is the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The event takes place on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, hosted by France Football.
3. Who are the main contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
The top race is between PSG’s Ousmane Dembele (32 goals, 8 assists in a treble-winning season) and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal (18 goals, 21 assists, plus Euro 2024 success with Spain).
4. What did Ronaldinho say about Ousmane Dembele?
Ronaldinho praised Dembele’s “Brazilian style,” calling him “disconcerting” and inventive, noting his evolution into a more goal-scoring role at PSG.
5. Why is Lamine Yamal a strong candidate?
At just 18, Yamal led Barcelona to a domestic treble, became the youngest Clásico scorer, and reached 100 club appearances, while contributing to Spain’s Euro victory.
