The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be announced during Monday’s black-tie event in Paris, France.
The men’s and women’s prizes will be presented alongside other trophies, including for the world’s best clubs, top goalkeeper, best coaches and standout young performer.
Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati — winner of the 2023 women’s prize — are the favourites to claim the top honours. The PSG and Barcelona Femeni stars arguably have their best years ahead of them given their relatively young ages, so this may not be the last time we see them lift the famous trophy.
However, the focus is also on Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s young wonderkid. The 18-year-old won last year’s Yashin Trophy as the best young player in the world, and this year there are rumblings that he could be in the running for the Ballon d’Or itself.
So who are the youngest players to win the Ballon d’Or throughout the award’s illustrious history? The Sporting News takes a look at what the record looks like now, and where Lamine would rank if he were to emerge with the trophy.
MORE: All the Ballon d’Or winners in the history of the coveted trophy, dating back to 1956
Who is the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or?
The youngest winner of the Ballon d’Or is Ronaldo, the former Brazil star known as ‘O Fenomeno’.
The ex-Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker won the prize in 1997 when he was just 21 years and 95 days old.
The 1997 Ballon d’Or 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BvviYfd9VU
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) April 5, 2024
Vinicius, at 24 years and 108 days old on the day of the 2024 ceremony, is actually well short of being the youngest ever winner of the prize. He would be in 10th place on such a list, just ahead of Marco van Basten but behind Lionel Messi.
Youngest players to win men’s Ballon d’Or
| Rank | Player | Year | Age | Country | Club |
| 1. | Ronaldo | 1997 | 21 years, 95 days | Brazil | Inter Milan |
| 2. | Michael Owen | 2001 | 22 years, 4 days | England | Liverpool |
| 3. | Lionel Messi | 2009 | 22 years, 157 | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 4. | George Best | 1968 | 22 years, 212 | Northern Ireland | Man United |
| 5. | Oleg Blokhin | 1975 | 23 years, 5 days | Soviet Union | Dynamo Kyiv |
MORE: What are the different awards at the Ballon d’Or gala?
Would Lamine Yamal be the youngest men’s Ballon d’Or winner?
Yes, Lamine Yamal would be the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner, and it wouldn’t even be remotely close.
Upon the award ceremony on September 22, 2025, Lamine Yamal is 18 years, 70 days old. He would beat Ronaldo Nazario’s record by over three full years if he won the 2025 award, and likely has three more years to win the Ballon d’Or if he wishes to set the record.
No teenager has ever won the Ballon d’Or, let along an 18-year-old. It would be a sensational accomplishment, and surely a record that would not be broken for a very long time.
Who is the youngest winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or?
The Ballon d’Or Feminin has only been running since 2018, and the winner that year remains the youngest recipient.
Lyon star Ada Hegerberg was 23 years and 146 days old when she took home the golden ball.
