Dembélé and Yamal Face Off at FIFA The Best 2025, Haaland Absent
Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal are set to face each other again at FIFA The Best 2025. Previously, Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or. Will he secure a personal double, or will the award go to Yamal or another contender?
In Paris last September, Dembélé beat Yamal to claim the top honor, capping off a brilliant season with Paris Saint-Germain. However, that victory remained controversial.
Now, both are nominated for FIFA The Best 2025, promising another fierce battle between two icons of the new generation.
Men’s Player of the Year Nominees (11):
Ousmane Dembélé (PSG/France), Achraf Hakimi (PSG/Morocco), Nuno Mendes (PSG/Portugal), Vitinha (PSG/Portugal), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France), Pedri (Barcelona/Spain), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain), Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt), Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England).
Women’s Player of the Year Nominees (17):
Sandy Baltimore, Nathalie Bjorn, Aitana Bonmatí, Lucy Bronze, Mariona Caldentey, Temwa Chawinga, Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay, Patri Guijarro, Lindsey Horan, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Leah Williamson.
Men’s Goalkeeper Nominees (8):
Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, Manuel Neuer, David Raya, Yann Sommer, Wojciech Szczęsny.
Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees (7):
Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Christiane Endler, Hannah Hampton, Anna Moorhouse, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Men’s Coach of the Year Nominees:
Luis Enrique Martínez (PSG/Champions League winner), Hansi Flick (Barcelona), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Enzo Maresca (Chelsea), Roberto Martínez (Portugal), Arne Slot (Liverpool), Javier Aguirre (Mexico).
Women’s Coach of the Year Nominees:
Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea), Jonatan Giráldez (Washington Spirit/OL), Seb Hines (Orlando Pride), Renée Slegers (Arsenal), Sarina Wiegman (England).
Coaches and national team captains from FIFA’s 211 member associations will vote for their top three choices in each category. Registered journalists and fans on FIFA.com can also participate. Voting closes on November 28, 2025.
