It is not easy to predict the Golden Ball.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or race is perhaps the most evenly matched individual race in recent years.

Vitinha (left) may make a surprise in the race - Photo: Reuters

Every year, the Ballon d'Or race has two names in a "two-horse race". For example, it was the race between Rodri and Vinicius last year. This year, Dembele stands out as the strongest candidate, considering the title factor.

Bookmakers give Dembele a 1/4 chance to win (bet 4 to win 1). This chance is significantly higher than the next ones, Yamal (3/1 - bet 1 to win 3), Vitinha (16/1), Salah (18/1), Raphinha (22/1)...

Looking at this ratio, it can be seen that Dembele's ability to win the Golden Ball is superior. Meanwhile, Yamal is also leading the race for the Silver Ball.

But the bookmaker's odds are just a reference. In fact, since the Golden Ball organizers gave the voting rights to journalists (1 journalist from each of the top 100 countries on the FIFA rankings), the race has become more unpredictable.

It is no longer a purely emotional vote, in which the most outstanding and admired person - according to conventional thinking - will win overwhelmingly.

A typical example is Rodri's beautiful "comeback" last season, when the tournament organizers meticulously considered factors such as behavior, attitude on the field...

In the common assessment of fans, a superstar who wins the Champions League, is also an attacking star, scores many beautiful goals, and is the most praised - will be the best. But from the perspective of experts, things are not that simple.

This year's Vitinha therefore has many of the same characteristics as Rodri last season. His contribution to PSG is no less than Dembele's. And from a professional perspective, Vitinha's importance may even be greater than that of the French superstar.

Not only that, shining to help Portugal win the UEFA Nations League gives Vitinha an advantage that Dembele does not have. This point is similar to Rodri - who won Euro 2024 in Spain's shirt.

And in general, Yamal, Salah or Hakimi all have certain outstanding points compared to Dembele - who has been underrated by the football world for many years. The 2025 Golden Ball race will therefore not be as easy to predict as in the bookmakers' assessment.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khong-de-du-doan-qua-bong-vang-20250809104410191.htm