Ballon d'Or 2025 Odds: Ousmane Dembele Becomes Hot Favourite

All over the betting world, Ousmane Dembele is listed at an eye‑watering 1/3 to win the Ballon d'Or 2025 odds. That price makes him the most likely winner of football’s biggest individual prize by a huge margin. The French winger’s numbers this season have left bookmakers scrambling to keep up, and fans are buzzing about how close he is to lifting the golden trophy.

Dembele’s season that rewrote the script

Since the start of the 2024‑25 campaign, Dembele has turned PSG’s attack into a nonstop show. He’s been involved in more than half of the team’s goals, either by scoring, setting up a teammate, or drawing defenders away to create space. His blend of blistering pace, tight‑ball control and a knack for finishing from tight angles has made him a nightmare for any defence.

Key moments include a hat‑trick against Marseille that sealed a vital league win and a match‑winning brace in the Champions League quarter‑final that sent PSG to the semi‑finals for the first time in a decade. Those performances earned him Player of the Month twice and a place on several “Team of the Season” lists.

Beyond the numbers, Dembele’s influence extends to the locker room. Teammates speak of his work ethic, and his willingness to take on responsibility in big games has lifted the entire squad’s confidence. The combination of on‑field brilliance and off‑field leadership is what pushes his odds far below any rival.

The new generation stepping up

Standing in the shadow of Dembele is Barcelona’s 17‑year‑old prodigy Lamine Yamal. Bookmakers have priced the Spaniard at 9/4, a figure that reflects his rapid ascent. Yamal has shown a composure beyond his age, dictating play against seasoned professionals and delivering decisive assists in La Liga’s tight title race.

Raphinha, the Brazilian winger who moved to Napoli last summer, is another dark horse at 10/1. He finished the season with 18 league goals and a dozen assists, proving his adaptability across different leagues. Mohamed Salah, still a consistent threat for Liverpool, sits at 12/1, thanks to his regular goal haul and his reputation as a big‑stage performer.

Further down the list, Portuguese midfielder Vitinha is listed at 20/1. His deep‑lying playmaking helped Porto qualify for the Europa League semi‑finals, and his vision has caught the eye of several top clubs. PSG teammate Nuno Mendes, a left‑back known for his attacking runs, is a long‑shot at 50/1, but his growing experience could surprise the odds makers.

Other names that keep popping up include Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who broke his club’s record for most goals by an English teenager, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who continues to break scoring records, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez. While they all enjoyed impressive seasons, their odds remain well behind the three clear front‑runners.

The betting market paints a picture of a mix between seasoned stars and fresh talent. Yet, Dembele’s position at 1/3 suggests that his impact has been so decisive that most pundits believe he already has an “almost insurmountable lead.” Still, football is notorious for last‑minute twists—major tournaments, injury scares, or a sudden surge from a dark horse could reshuffle the board before the ceremony in October 2025.