Barcelona Star Not Attending Ballon d’Or Ceremony After Results Reportedly Leaked Showing Winners
- Barcelona stars Pedri and Lewandowski are set to skip 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, focusing rather on club commitments
- Barcelona is still well-represented, with Raphinha, Yamal, and coach Hansi Flick expected to be in the spotlight
- Leaked list suggests Raphinha could win the Ballon d’Or with 800 points, ahead of Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal
Barcelona’s build-up to the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony has taken an unexpected twist as star midfielder Pedri and striker Robert Lewandowski will not attend Monday night’s event in Paris.
The news comes amid widespread speculation after a leaked list of winners went viral over the weekend, reportedly revealing the top 10 finishers for the coveted award.
Source: Getty Images
Pedri has been one of Barcelona’s most consistent performers over the past 12 months, guiding Hansi Flick’s side through a demanding season.
However, the 22-year-old has chosen not to attend the prestigious award night in Paris to focus on his recovery and fitness, Football Espana reports.
Pedri mutually agreed with the Catalan club that attending the ceremony was not essential, especially since he is believed to be out of contention for the award.
The Spanish midfielder is reportedly sixth on the leaked list, which only strengthened his decision to avoid the distraction and maintain focus on the upcoming fixtures for Barcelona.
Lewandowski is also not expected to travel, with club insiders revealing that the striker wants to dedicate his time to preparing for the next match.
Leaked Ballon d’Or list raises eyebrows
The 2025 Ballon d’Or results appear to have been leaked ahead of the ceremony, causing a stir on social media.
Source: Getty Images
The unconfirmed list shows Barcelona’s Raphinha finishing first with 800 points, a tally even higher than Lionel Messi’s 2023 win.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele reportedly came second with 710 points, while 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal is tipped to finish third, per YEN.com.gh
PSG’s Vitinha and Nuno Mendes complete the top five, with other big names like Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah appearing further down the list.
This is not the first time that the Ballon d’Or has been subject to alleged leaks.
In recent years, similar lists have circulated online in the days leading up to the ceremony, often accurately predicting the eventual winners.
Spotlight on Raphinha and Yamal
While Pedri and Lewandowski will be absent, Barcelona still have plenty to celebrate on Monday night as all eyes will be on Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, who are reportedly set to finish on the podium.
Raphinha’s incredible form last season, including his crucial goals in Barcelona’s La Liga and Champions League campaigns, has positioned him as a leading candidate.
Meanwhile, Yamal, who became the youngest player ever to score in a Champions League knockout stage, could make history with a top-three finish at just 17 years old.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is also up for Coach of the Year, further cementing the club’s presence at this year’s award night despite the absence of two of their biggest stars.
Why Dembele could win Ballon d’Or
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director has made a strong case for forward Ousmane Dembele to be crowned the Ballon d'Or winner ahead of Lamine Yamal.
The Frenchman was a key player in PSG’s treble-winning season, including their first-ever UEFA Champions League, while Yamal helped Barcelona win the domestic treble.
Source: Legit.ng
