As the Ballon dOr 2025 ceremony approaches scheduled for 22 September 2025 in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet rumours and alleged leaks have stirred both excitement and debate among football fans A supposed top ten list of how this years voting may have turned out has been circulating online though its authenticity remains uncertain What follows is an overview of the leaked claims the reactions they have provoked and what is officially known about the process .
Whats Being Leaked
The viral leak claims to reveal the top ten finishers in the 2025 Mens Ballon dOr race According to the document Barcelonas Raphinha is alleged to have won the award with around 800 points In second place is said to be Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint Germain reportedly collecting about 710 points Barcelonas teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is rumoured to have finished third .
The rest of the leaked top ten allegedly includes Vitinha Nuno Mendes Pedri Kylian Mbappe Mohamed Salah Desire Doue and Lautaro Martinez This order has surprised many supporters especially with Raphinha placed ahead of the more widely expected favourites .
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Irregularities and Doubts
Despite the buzz many fans have pointed out clear irregularities in the leaked document Errors such as the misspelling of Kylian Mbappes name and the unusual use of Internazionale rather than its full or standard version raise doubts about authenticity The claims also conflict with other reports which suggest that Ousmane Dembele or Lamine Yamal were more likely to take the crown .
Adding to the scepticism France Footballs editor in chief Vincent Garcia has repeatedly stated that he is the only person who knows the winner ahead of time He also insists that he does not share the result with anyone else not even within his own organisation until the official ceremony .
Context What Helps a Player Win
The Ballon dOr is not simply a measure of raw statistics Criteria considered include individual brilliance decisive performances major trophies won during the season as well as sportsmanship and off field conduct This is why the debate around the leak has become so heated as different candidates have strong claims on different fronts .
Ousmane Dembele has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career scoring around 35 goals providing 16 assists and playing a vital role in Paris Saint Germains successes across multiple competitions including the Champions League and domestic trophies His consistency and match winning ability make him a strong contender .
Meanwhile Lamine Yamal has gained recognition not only for his goals and assists but also for his extraordinary maturity at such a young age His role in Barcelonas domestic campaigns has made him a symbol of the clubs future and many believe his rise could be rewarded on the biggest stage .
Reactions and Speculation
The alleged leak has sparked lively discussion among fans across the world Supporters of Dembele Yamal and Raphinha have all voiced confidence that their favourite deserves the award Some see Raphinhas name at the top of the list as fair recognition of his underappreciated influence for Barcelona while others remain unconvinced .
Plenty of observers remain sceptical pointing out that similar leaks in previous years have turned out to be inaccurate or deliberately misleading Until the official ceremony there is no way to confirm the claims and many believe the only credible source remains the announcement in Paris .
What Is Officially Known
What is certain is that the Ballon dOr 2025 nominations were officially released on 7 August 2025 featuring thirty male players among others The voting period covers performances during the 2024 to 25 season generally running from early August 2024 until late July 2025 depending on competition schedules .
The process remains highly secretive with Vincent Garcia maintaining strict confidentiality about the result Only when the envelope is opened at the Théâtre du Châtelet will the football world finally learn who is to be crowned .
Implications If Leak Works Out
If the leaked document does turn out to be accurate the biggest shock would be Raphinha emerging as the winner While a respected player he was not commonly listed among the main frontrunners and would therefore represent one of the more surprising outcomes in Ballon dOr history .
Such an outcome would raise questions about how leaks affect the suspense and credibility of award ceremonies It could also set a precedent for players outside the typical superstar bracket to claim the games most prestigious individual prize .
Conclusion
At this stage the so called leaked Ballon dOr 2025 list remains unverified and is riddled with inconsistencies While Raphinha Dembele and Yamal appear repeatedly in both rumours and speculation only the official ceremony will provide certainty Until then fans can only debate dream and wait for the moment the golden ball is lifted in Paris .