ballon d’or

The Digest: La Liga president Javier Tebas has claimed that Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal lost the 2025 Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembélé primarily due to his youth, suggesting the 18-year-old would have won if he were older. Despite Yamal’s exceptional season, winning La Liga and Euro 2024, Dembélé’s...

The Digest: Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was a notable omission from the 2025 Ballon d’Or 30-man shortlist, despite scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances for Galatasaray. His absence has sparked debate, with analysis pointing to factors like the perceived strength of the Turkish league and...

The Digest: Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has accepted a playful dance challenge from England coach Sarina Wiegman, who mentioned him during her Johan Cruyff Trophy acceptance speech at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. The exchange came after Wiegman beat Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu to the best...

The Digest: Nigerian music star Adekunle Gold brought Afrobeats flair to the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, sharing moments with football icons including Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Pep Guardiola’s daughter. The singer’s presence continued a tradition of Nigerian influence at the...

The Digest: Brazilian forward Neymar has publicly criticized the 2025 Ballon d’Or results, describing compatriot Raphinha’s fifth-place finish as “a huge joke.” The Santos star took to social media to express his discontent, arguing that the Barcelona winger’s exceptional season warranted...

The Digest: Lionel Messi has publicly celebrated his former Barcelona teammate Ousmane Dembélé’s 2025 Ballon d’Or victory, reinforcing a personal bond that transcends club rivalries. According to reports, the Inter Miami star left a warm congratulatory message on Dembélé’s social media...

The Digest: Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatí has secured her third straight Ballon d’Or Féminin, joining an elite group of football legends, including Lionel Messi and Michel Platini, to win the award three years in a row. The Barcelona and Spain star triumphed over strong contenders...

The Digest: Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele has been crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, fending off strong competition from Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The French international secured football’s most prestigious individual award after a stellar season in which he...

The Digest: Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman have been honoured as Coaches of the Year at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, following historic seasons with Paris Saint-Germain and the England women’s national team. Enrique guided PSG to a historic treble, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the club’s...

The Digest: Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been awarded the 2025 Yashin Trophy, ending Emiliano Martínez’s two-year hold on the award for the world’s best goalkeeper. Donnarumma earned the honour after a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, where he played a key role in the...

The Digest: The initial rankings for the 2025 Ballon d’Or have been released, placing Erling Haaland at 26th and Virgil van Dijk at 28th, a positioning that has ignited discussions among football fans worldwide. The list, shared via the award organizer’s X account, also revealed Michael Olise...

The Digest: The football world turns its eyes to Paris as the Ballon d’Or ceremony prepares to honour the standout players of the 2024–25 season. According to BBC analysis, stars like Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé lead the men’s race, while Aitana Bonmati and Alessia Russo...