Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri reveals his pick to win 2025 Ballon d’Or - 'I'm basing it on performances... he deserves it'
Updated 04/09/2025 at 12:39 GMT+1
Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri has revealed who he believes should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The 18-year-old is one of the most exciting players in world football after a breakout 2024/25 campaign. The England Under-21 international will be hoping for another impressive campaign with The Gunners after signing a new five-year contract with the club over the summer.
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Prodigious Arsenal forward Ethan Nwaneri believes that Lamine Yamal should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The 18-year-old has backed the Spaniard to claim the most coveted individual honour in world football after he scored 18 goals and produced 25 assists last term, in 55 appearances across all competitions.
That significant contribution helped Barcelona win back La Liga from bitter rivals Real Madrid, but Yamal’s side were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League at the semi-final stage by Inter Milan.
However, Nwaneri believes Yamal should win the prize based on his individual performances on the pitch.
"Ballon D'Or? Lamine Yamal," the English teenager said. "I'm basing it on performances. From what I've seen, he deserves it."
Nwaneri is one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects after a breakout 2024/25 campaign with The Gunners.
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The England Under-21 international scored nine goals and registered two assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for Mikel Arteta’s side last season.
He will be hoping to make his mark once again this term after signing a new five-year contract with the north London club last month.
Yamal’s closest rival for the 2025 Ballon d’Or looks set to be Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.
The Frenchman moved from the wing to a new false No. 9 role under Luis Enrique last season, and reaped the benefits on the pitch.
Dembele found the back of the net 35 times in 53 appearances across all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, and also managed to add a further 16 assists.
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Those goal contributions helped the French giants lift the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or after a sensational season with club and country.
This season’s shortlist includes the likes of Napoli star Scott McTominay and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer. The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be revealed on September 22.
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