The Ballon d’Or 2025 has become one of the most debated editions of the prestigious award in recent years. Former USSR and Russian national team star Alexander Mostovoy offered his thoughts on the outcome, particularly regarding the victory of Ousmane Dembélé, the PSG forward who claimed the title ahead of Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. Mostovoy underlined the shift in global football dynamics. In the era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the outcome of the Ballon d’Or was, as he put it, largely predetermined.
For nearly 15 years, the football world watched the same two names dominate the podium, leaving little room for anyone else to dream of winning. According to him, those years saw countless great footballers—players who delivered exceptional performances season after season—yet their achievements were overshadowed by the two giants. “This time, it was a very difficult choice, but now everyone has an equal chance,” Mostovoy emphasized. “Before, it was Messi and Ronaldo, so for 15 years, no one had a chance of winning the Ballon d’Or. And how many outstanding footballers there were! Now it’s different. The competition is wide open.”
For Mostovoy, the victory of Dembélé was not only about his raw talent but also about the balance of success between domestic and European competitions. He noted that Dembélé’s Champions League performances for PSG tipped the scales in his favor. In the eyes of many voters, the Champions League remains the ultimate proving ground for elite footballers. “I thought it would be Salah, Dembélé, and Rafinha,” he said. “Yamal deserves it, but some people have been playing at this level for 15 years. In Dembélé’s case, the balance was in favor of the Champions League.”
This statement highlights how critical European success has become in deciding the award. While Yamal amazed the world with his breakout season and dazzling skills, and others like Mohamed Salah and Raphinha delivered consistent brilliance, Dembélé’s ability to step up in decisive Champions League matches ultimately sealed his victory. For PSG, long haunted by near misses in European competition, this victory was symbolic not just for the club but also for French football, as one of their own finally claimed the sport’s highest individual honor.
Mostovoy’s remarks also bring attention to the generational shift that has reshaped football. The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry defined more than a decade of the sport. Between them, they amassed twelve Ballon d’Or titles, rewriting record books and leaving little space for anyone else. Players such as Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Franck Ribéry, Wesley Sneijder, and countless others delivered legendary seasons but walked away empty-handed because Messi and Ronaldo’s shadow loomed too large.
Now, with both legends no longer competing at the very top level, the award has entered an era of unpredictability. Each year brings a new mix of candidates, from seasoned stars like Salah and Kevin De Bruyne to rising talents like Yamal and Jude Bellingham. In this new reality, football feels more competitive and democratic. For Mostovoy, this makes the Ballon d’Or far more exciting but also more complex, since there is no longer a guaranteed frontrunner. “This time, they told me the top ten, but I don’t know who to choose,” he admitted, pointing to how difficult it is now to single out one clear winner. This difficulty is both a challenge for voters and a gift for football fans, who get to see fresh names on the podium each year.
Ousmane Dembélé’s triumph is more than just personal recognition; it is a sign of what football has become in 2025. It reflects the rise of a generation that grew up under the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo, but now finally has space to shine. Alongside him, young stars like Yamal, Vitinha, and others symbolize a new football order—an order where unpredictability reigns, and where hard work and decisive performances on the biggest stages truly matter.
Mostovoy’s reflections, grounded in both nostalgia for the Messi-Ronaldo era and appreciation for the openness of today’s competition, capture the essence of this transition. Football is entering a more balanced age, where the Ballon d’Or will no longer be monopolized by two men but fought for by many, making every season a new and unpredictable story.
