Football Legend Romario Names His 2025 Ballon d’Or Winner

As we creep closer to the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, the debate over who should stand on the stage and hold the sought-after trophy aloft grows day by day – and Brazilian legend Romario has offered his two pence, snubbing Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal in the process.

In a year packed to the brim with upsets, unforgettable scenes and moments of utter excellence, who will be named football’s greatest player for 2025 remains to be seen. The aforementioned duo Dembele and Yamal, however, are the leading favourites.

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The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award is heating up with Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele among the front-runners.

Romario may never have managed to win football’s most prestigious award – but he did manage to rub shoulders with some that did: Ronaldinho, Hristo Stoichkov and Ronaldo Nazario spring to mind. Therefore, it’s not unfair to say that he knows what he’s well-versed in what it takes to be the very best.

Romario Names 2025 Ballon d’Or Winner, Snubs Yamal and Dembele

The former striker spoke of the importance of his many goals

The fact that Dembele played an integral part in PSG’s first-ever Champions League triumph, it’s perhaps safe to say that he is leading the race. In 2024/25, Yamal was also among those in a world of their own, thus why many believe the world-beating 18-year-old is a worthy winner of this year’s prize.

In a recent interview with ESPN, one-time World Cup winner Romario – who turned out for the likes of PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona throughout his 488-outing career, snubbed both. “At this moment, I would choose Raphinha,” the 59-year-old said.

Staying true to his Brazilian roots, the former centre-forward spoke glowingly of Raphinha, who was often overshadowed by Yamal during Barcelona’s trophy-laden campaign last time out. He highlighted the importance of his many, many strikes.

“Because, as I said, he has scored many goals. And these goals have been important goals, not only for his career but for Barcelona and also when he goes to the Brazilian national team. For me, it would be Raphinha, also because he’s Brazilian.”

It’s hard to envisage that he was plying his trade for English outfit Leeds United just three years ago. Coming as a bit of a shock, the former Sporting CP and Stade Rennais winger joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and has racked up 144 appearances.

The 2024/25 campaign was Raphinha’s most productive to date. For Hansi Flick’s domestic treble-winning side, the Brazil international plundered an outrageous tally of 34 goals and 25 assists. The Spanish side won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana at a canter – and he was key.

All statistics per Transfermarkt and WhoScored – correct as of 20/07/2025

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