The football world is set for another glittering night as the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday, September 22.

Reports suggest that France Football’s most prestigious individual honour will be presented by none other than legendary Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.

While organisers have yet to confirm the news, anticipation is running high among football fans worldwide.

This year’s Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be a dramatic showdown between two players who have followed in Ronaldinho’s footsteps: Ousmane Dembélé of PSG and Barcelona’s 18-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal.

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The prospect of Ronaldinho presenting the award to one of them has been described as poetic, with both players representing the clubs that turned the Brazilian into a global icon.

Yamal, who helped Barcelona claim a domestic treble, has had a breakout season that earned him the LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Under-23 Player award. The teenager racked up 18 goals and 21 assists, becoming the youngest player to score in a Clásico and the youngest to make 100 appearances for the club.

The Spanish wonderkid also helped Spain win the European Championship in a record-breaking campaign, further strengthening his Ballon d’Or case. His supporters argue that his blend of youthful exuberance and end product makes him a worthy winner despite his age.

On the other hand, Dembélé represents redemption and consistency at the highest level. The French international has been reborn under PSG manager Luis Enrique, leading the club to a historic treble including their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.

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Dembélé’s 32 goals and eight assists across all competitions have made him the statistical frontrunner. PSG Sporting Director Luis Campos has openly backed him, saying: “If his name were Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no discussion.” Campos went further, claiming that if Dembélé does not win, “it suggests a failure on the part of the voters.”

Even Ronaldinho has praised the PSG forward’s game, telling L’Equipe via Paris Fans: “I don’t like to compare much. I mainly look at my old teams and those that are still in the Champions League. There’s Ousmane Dembélé at PSG. I like him a lot.

“He has a slightly Brazilian style! He’s disconcerting, he invents, he provokes. He’s often unreadable and, what’s more, he scores a lot of goals. He’s revealing himself, bursting into a different role than he did at PSG last year or at Barcelona.”

With two players boasting such compelling cases—Yamal with his brilliance and narrative as football’s next superstar, and Dembélé with his trophies and peak performance—the 2025 Ballon d’Or could be one of the most hotly contested editions in years.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said his side can ill afford a repeat of the “under-14s” defending that saw them thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal in February.

Guardiola’s men travel to the Emirates again on Sunday, already trailing the Gunners and defending champions Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

City lost two of their opening three games to Tottenham and Brighton but have bounced back with comprehensive victories over Manchester United and in the Champions League over Napoli.

The thrashing at the hands of his former protege Mikel Arteta was one of the low points in a miserable campaign for Guardiola.

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City failed to win a trophy for the first time since 2017 and finished a distant third behind Liverpool and Arsenal.

“The game last season, we started like many times last season, like an under-14s team and gave away a thousand million goals,” said Guardiola when asked to reflect on his last visit to the Emirates.

“After we were, a lot of the time, pretty good considering how it was last season, but the last 15-20 minutes were a disaster.

“We forgot to do what we had do and it was easy for Arsenal. I want to compete to be a better team than we were last season.”

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Both Liverpool and Arsenal massively outspent City in the transfer window in the battle for Premier League supremacy and Guardiola took the opportunity for a dig at those who claim his six titles since arriving in England are due to the budget at his disposal.

“The only thing I want to say to my friend Mikel Arteta is if he wins the title it will be just because he spent money, not because he worked hard or because of his players,” Guardiola said sarcastically.

“It’s like Liverpool too. If Arne (Slot) wins it again, it will be because he spent a lot of money, right? Because it’s not just Man City that (spend), right?”

Arteta left behind working as Guardiola’s assistant in 2019 and has slowly built Arsenal back into a force capable of competing for major trophies.

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But he has still just won one piece of silverware, the 2020 FA Cup, after finishing second in the Premier League for the past three seasons.

“He found the club in a (certain) way and step-by-step, window by window, Arsenal is getting better,” added Guardiola.

“Last season in Europe, they made an incredible step forward and they are for me the most solid team. They don’t make mistakes in the back.”

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City begin the weekend three points behind Arsenal and six adrift of leaders Liverpool.

The challenge facing Guardiola’s side is heightened by the fact they played their Champions League opener 48 hours after Arsenal, who won 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.

Guardiola refused to be drawn into the scheduling debate but conceded it could be difficult for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to start three games in eight days on his return from a major knee injury.

“With him in the pitch we feel more comfortable but, of course, after coming from a tough injury you have to be alert and we will decide on Sunday how he does feel.”

Aston Villa remain winless this season after blowing a one-goal and a man advantage in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland, while Newcastle were held 0-0 at Bournemouth on Sunday. Villa’s rise over recent years under the tutelage of Unai Emery has come to a halt as they remain in the bottom three with just three points from their opening five games. Emery’s men could barely have asked for a better opportunity to end their wait for victory after Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava was shown a red card on 33 minutes for kicking out at Matty Cash. Villa had failed to score in their previous four league games but did finally break that drought when Cash tried his luck from long range, and Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs was deceived by the power and swerve on the full-back’s strike. READ ALSO:Asensio Stars Again As Villa Beat Brugge To Book PSG Showdown The lead lasted just eight minutes as Wilson Isidor pounced on Granit Xhaka’s header forward for his third goal in as many games at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League. Ollie Watkins missed two late chances to snatch all three points for Villa as the England striker remains without a goal this season. Sunderland have made a great start to their quest to end the run of promoted sides being relegated straight back to the Championship. The Black Cats sit seventh after losing only one of their opening five fixtures. READ ALSO:EPL: What Gerrard Said About Arteta Ahead Of Aston Villa Vs Arsenal Newcastle are also struggling for goals in the absence of the departed Alexander Isak. Eddie Howe’s men have drawn all three of their away games this season, 0-0, and will be happy just to come away from Bournemouth with a point after a short turnaround from their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Barcelona on Thursday. Howe made seven changes to freshen up his side, including the return of record signing Nick Woltemade up front. READ ALSO:Man Utd Vs Aston Villa: Solskjaer Reveals Why Fernandes Took Penalty Instead Of Ronaldo In a game of few chances, Bournemouth left the best effort until stoppage time when Nick Pope saved Justin Kluivert’s free kick. A point was enough to edge Bournemouth up to third for a few hours at least. Arsenal can close in on leaders Liverpool and go second should the Gunners beat title rivals Manchester City in Sunday’s marquee showdown. Liverpool are six points clear of Arsenal and nine points ahead of City thanks to their perfect start after five games. AFP