Ballon d'Or 2025 Winner Leak Sparks Frenzy Hours Before Paris Gala
Leak claims ignite debate
As the Théâtre du Châtelet prepares to host the Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony tonight, a wave of supposed insider documents has flooded social media. Screenshots purporting to reveal the full list of winners point to 18‑year‑old Lamine Yamal of Barcelona as the man to lift the coveted trophy. The image, shared by several fan accounts, looks official at first glance—gold‑lined borders, a logo that mimics the award’s branding, and a neatly typed table of nominees.
Yet a closer look tells a different story. Observant followers have flagged mismatched fonts, a typo in Yamal’s last name, and an impossible ranking for players who are still recovering from injuries. Media outlets with a track record of fact‑checking, such as Reuters and Sky Sports, have warned that no credible source has confirmed the leak. Their statements stress that the Ballon d'Or voting process remains sealed until the live announcement.
The timing of the leak adds another twist. Last year’s ceremony ended in controversy when a premature report suggested Vinícius Júnior would be snubbed, prompting Real Madrid to boycott the event. That memory still lingers, making clubs and players extra wary of any pre‑emptive leaks that could sway public opinion or affect sponsorship deals.
Scheduling clash leaves PSG nominees on the sidelines
Even if the leak is bogus, the night’s logistical challenges are very real. Nine former PSG stars who contributed to the club’s historic treble last season have been nominated for the award. The list includes Ousmane Dembélé, Desire Doué, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha, plus former PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, now with Manchester City.
- Ousmane Dembélé (forward)
- Desire Doué (midfielder)
- Achraf Hakimi (defender)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (winger)
- Nuno Mendes (left‑back)
- João Neves (midfielder)
- Fabián Ruiz (midfielder)
- Vitinha (midfielder)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (goalkeeper, now at Manchester City)
All nine are slated to miss the gala because the Ligue 1 fixture between PSG and Olympique de Marseille was moved from Sunday to Monday night. The regional prefecture postponed the match citing severe weather threats, and the new kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at the Orange Vélodrome—directly overlapping with the Ballon d’Or ceremony’s start time.
Marseille’s official statement confirmed the shift, emphasizing security concerns and the need to protect fans and players. As a result, only the injured trio—Dembélé, Doué and Neves—who are already sidelined, are expected to attend the awards show. The rest will be on the bench in Marseille, watching the ceremony on a screen, if at all.
Both the leak saga and the match reschedule have stoked speculation among pundits. Some argue that the absence of PSG’s high‑profile nominees could tilt voting patterns in favor of players from clubs with full representation at the gala. Others point out that the Ballon d’Or voting panel, composed of journalists and national team captains, traditionally bases its decisions on season‑long performance, not ceremony attendance.
Fans worldwide are glued to live feeds, ready to react the instant the envelope is opened. Whether the leaked image turns out to be a hoax or a cracked window into the final tally, the night promises tension, drama, and a reminder that even in football’s most celebrated moments, uncertainty is part of the allure.