Kylian Mbappe Leaves Out Mohamed Salah in Ballon d’Or 2025 Predictions
Kylian Mbappe has revealed his picks for this year’s Ballon d’Or, notably leaving out Liverpool’s star forward Mohamed Salah from his list of leading contenders for the prestigious award.
As the 2025 award season heats up, speculation surrounds several standout players following exceptional performances across Europe. One of the frontrunners is Ousmane Dembele, whose remarkable tally of 33 goals played a crucial role in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic Champions League triumph.
Another strong candidate is Barcelona’s young sensation Lamine Yamal, who impressed fans and critics alike with a brilliant season. Interestingly, Mbappe also omitted Florian Wirtz, the German international believed to be on the verge of a move to Liverpool.
Although Salah was instrumental in guiding Liverpool to a Premier League title this season, he didn’t make Mbappe’s shortlist. Speaking to RMC Sport, Mbappe explained:
> “Would I vote for Dembele? Yes.
Do I really need to explain? We’re talking about Yamal and Dembele—I’m choosing Dembele. It’s very clear!”
He added:
> “Things change rapidly, as shown by previous winners. Some players who weren’t even in the conversation ended up winning. Is it September already? No—there’s still time for things to evolve. But right now, the focus is on Ousmane and Lamine, which is why I answered the way I did.”
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo also weighed in on the Yamal hype, urging the public and media to allow the young forward to develop without undue pressure, despite acknowledging his immense talent.
Speaking at a Portugal press conference, Ronaldo said:
> “Lamine Yamal is doing exceptionally well. He’s making the most of his ability. But he’s still young—don’t burden him with too much expectation. Let him grow at his own pace.”
He continued:
> “These individual awards don’t carry the same weight anymore. Personally, I think the Champions League winners should be favourites. But there’s no longer a clear consensus.”
> “I don’t put much stock in individual awards—I know what happens behind the scenes. Lamine could win, as could Dembele or Vitinha. But in the end, these awards don’t mean everything.”
The 2025 Ballon d’Or will be presented this September at a glamorous event in Paris, with the shortlist expected a month prior. The current holder of the title is Rodri of Manchester City, who took home last year’s honor.
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