Lyon midfielder Ryan Cherki has predicted that the 2025 Ballon d'Or will be claimed by one of his French compatriots, naming Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé as the standout candidates for football's most prestigious individual honor.

Speaking to media ahead of France's upcoming match against Spain on June 5, Cherki expressed his belief that the two French internationals have distinguished themselves above other contenders in world football.

"Ballon d'Or? The two best players in the world are French. Mbappé & Dembélé. It's hard to choose one," Cherki stated, highlighting the exceptional performances of both players throughout the season.

Cherki's endorsement comes after Dembélé helped PSG achieve a remarkable quadruple this season. The Parisian club became only the second team in history to win four trophies in a single campaign, capping their season with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final last Saturday.

The Lyon star notably placed the French duo above other high-profile contenders including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Barcelona's young talents Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, all of whom have delivered impressive performances this season.

Mbappé, who completed his long-anticipated move to Real Madrid this season, has continued to demonstrate the exceptional form that has established him as one of football's elite players, while Dembélé's contributions to PSG's historic season have significantly boosted his credentials for the award.

The Ballon d'Or race remains competitive, with several months of football still to be played before the winner is announced. Recent reports indicate that 22 African countries will be eligible to vote in this year's award, potentially influencing the final outcome.

Liverpool's Salah has also expressed confidence in his chances, recently stating that this year represents his "best chance" to win the coveted golden ball.