Overview

• The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
• Kylian Mbappé confirmed he will watch on television as Real Madrid players maintain a collective absence for a second straight year.
• PSG sporting director Luis Campos insisted Dembélé deserves the award, saying voters would be incompetent if he does not win.
• Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher publicly named Dembélé as their pick, joining a chorus of current and former players and managers who see him as the leading choice.
• Barcelona will send a strong delegation — Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Pau Cubarsí and coach Hansi Flick — with Flick saying Yamal will win the trophy one day.