Brazilian legend Ronaldinho will present the 2025 Ballon d’Or in Paris on Monday night, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain stars competing for football’s most prestigious individual honour, Afrosport reports.
PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal are the leading contenders for the Golden Ball, which will be awarded at the Theatre du Châtelet.
Dembélé enjoyed the finest season of his career, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists as PSG secured a historic treble, including their first-ever Champions League triumph. Yamal, meanwhile, delivered 18 goals and 25 assists across 55 appearances, helping Barcelona to a domestic treble in a breakout campaign for the teenage sensation.
Ronaldinho, who lifted the award in 2005, returns as the star guest to hand over this year’s prize. The 2002 World Cup winner memorably represented both PSG and Barcelona during his glittering 17-year career, adding extra intrigue to his role on the night.
The appointment of Ronaldinho marks a late change of plans, with 1994 Ballon d’Or winner Hristo Stoichkov initially expected to present the trophy. Despite publicly announcing the role, the Bulgarian has now been replaced by the Brazilian icon.
Notably, several high-profile names will miss the gala. Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé has already confirmed he will follow the event from home, showing support for his French compatriot Dembélé, while Barcelona’s Pedri and Robert Lewandowski are also set to be absent.
