Ousmane Dembele has emerged as the front runner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Frenchman’s odds have tumbled this week with a combination of PSG making the Champions League final and Barcelona crashing out.
Dembele's Odds Shorten: Frenchman 2/1 Favourite
Dembele has always had the talent, however, he has lacked a consistent end product. Until this season, specifically since the turn of the year. He has scored 33 goals and contributed six assists this season, with 25 of the goals and all of the assists coming in 2025. Dembele was only fit enough to be on the bench in the second leg against Arsenal after a muscle injury, however, he came on and provided the assist for Achraf Hakimi to score PSG’s second goal. Dembele was 10/3 third favourite on Wednesday morning. He is now favourite and 2/1 still provides good value.
Donnarumma’s Odds Also Shorten
Dembele isn’t the only PSG star to see his odds shorten in the wake of this week’s events. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has come into the reckoning following another outstanding display against Arsenal.
Barcelona pair Lamine Yamal and Raphinha had been highly fancied, however, their odds have lengthened after the Catalan club’s defeat to Inter Milan. This may change again if Barcelona win the Club World Cup in July.
Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, on target against Barcelona on Tuesday is another contender making a late run. These are the odds from bet365.
| Player | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Ousmane Dembele (PSG) | 2/1 | bet365 |
| Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) | 7/2 | bet365 |
| Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) | 5/1 | bet365 |
| Raphinha (Barcelona) | 7/1 | bet365 |
| Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) | 7/1 | bet365 |
| Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) | 8/1 | bet365 |
| Khvicha Kvararatskhelia (PSG) | 8/1 | bet365 |
| Pedri (Barcelona) | 20/1 | bet365 |
| Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) | 50/1 | bet365 |
| Declan Rice (Arsenal) | 66/1 | bet365 |
| Odds correct as of 08/05/2025 10:00. Odds subject to change. |
We now take a look at the main other contenders.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) Odds 7/2
Yamal has had an outstanding campaign by anybody’s standards. However, for a 17-year-old it has been mind-blowing. A win for Barcelona in the Club World Cup might swing things in Yamal’s favour after consistently brilliant performances domestically and in Europe.
That said, we think that the Champions League holds a lot of sway with the judges so he may fall short this time round.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) Odds 5/1
The only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or was the legendary Lev Yashin in 1963. However, Donnarumma has been outstanding in PSG’s run to the final, making a string of superb saves as the French champions knocked out Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal. Yesterday morning the Italian international was a 33/1 outsider. He is now 5/1 third favourite. If PSG were to win the final on penalties, then this might happen. Otherwise, despite Donnarumma’s excellent performances, it is unlikely.
Raphinha (Barcelona) Odds 7/1
Raphinha has had a superb season domestically for Barcelona, but it is his Champions League record that makes you sit up and take notice. In 14 matches he has scored 13 goals and provided nine assists. However, with Barcelona exiting in the semi’s his odds have lengthened, and we feel he is likely to be overlooked.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) Odds 7/1
Inter skipper Martinez is very much in the running, especially after finding the net against Barcelona on Tuesday and winning the penalty that put his side 2-0 up. He has scored nine goals in 13 Champions League matches and 21 goals in 44 games overall. At 7/1 he might be worth a speculative punt. We think there are more likely candidates, but if Inter win the final those odds will come down, especially if he gets on the scoresheet.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 8/1
Salah has had a superb season, inspiring Liverpool to their 20th League title and being directly involved in 56 goals in all competitions, failing to get on the scoresheet against PSG and an early exit from the Champions League have probably ended his hopes.
