- A former presidential aide in Nigeria, Bashir Ahmad, has reacted after a purported revelation of the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or leaked
- According to the report, Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, an attacker with FC Barcelona, leads the Ballon d’Or ranking
- The ‘leak’ suggests Yamal, 18, edged out contenders like Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, and Vitinha
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering global sports.
Paris, France – Bashir Ahmad on Monday, September 22, said Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, does not deserve the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Ahmad, a former special assistant on digital communications to late ex-Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, stated that France Football, organisers of the Ballon d’Or, ‘cannot afford to rig it in Yamal’s favour’.
Photo credits: @WhoScored, @xKGx
Source: Twitter
Recent rumours indicate that Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona would be announced as the winner of the Ballon d’Or 2025 tonight, Monday, September 22.
Reacting, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) wrote on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page:
“Even though I don’t really care, but the truth is Lamine Yamal does not deserve this year’s Ballon d’Or. And I honestly don’t think the French newspaper, for the sake of its own integrity, can afford to rig it in his favor. Having back-to-back questionable awards, just in the quest to hurt Real Madrid twice would completely destroy what little credibility the award holds.”
Legit.ng reports that in recent times, the Ballon d’Or has been at the center of criticism for its integrity.
In 2024, the award was highly controversial, with Manchester City’s Rodri winning over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., prompting accusations of favoritism and bias.
Photo credit: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrate.
Source: Getty Images
Vinicius was the heavy favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024 given he led Real Madrid to their 15th UEFA Champions League (UCL) and 36th La Liga crown. However, Spain midfielder Rodri instead won it ahead of the Brazilian. This news left many football fans fuming as they slammed France Football and UEFA claiming that Ballon d’Or has lost its credibility.
Ballon d’Or 2025 and likely winner
Some of the world’s best players will head to Paris for the annual award ceremony on Monday night, September 22, which will unveil the 2025 recipient of football’s ultimate individual prize.
Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, and Raphinha are the frontrunners to take home the prestigious Golden Ball trophy.
The three players have been the headline act in impressive years for their respective clubs, and either would be first-time winners.
Read more on Ballon d’Or:
PSG official backs Dembele
Legit.ng earlier reported that PSG sporting director, Luis Campos, made a strong case for Dembele to be crowned the Ballon d’Or winner ahead of Yamal.
The football administrator believes that the France international forward would be a deserved winner of the coveted international award over the Barcelona star.
Source: Legit.ng
