Real Madrid icon Gareth Bale makes his Ballon d’Or choice: Yamal, Dembele, or Mbappe?

In the tightly contested 2025 Ballon d'Or race between Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, and Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid icon Gareth Bale has made his pick for who deserves the award.

With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo no longer dominating the global stage, the 2025 Ballon d’Or conversation is wide open. Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, and Kylian Mbappe have emerged as the frontrunners—and now, Real Madrid icon Gareth Bale has weighed in on who he believes deserves the sport’s most prestigious individual honor.