Legendary football manager Jose Mourinho has revealed his top picks for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, and it's not the names most fans expected.

While young sensation Lamine Yamal and PSG star Ousmane Dembele are among the favourites to win the prestigious award, Mourinho is backing two of his fellow Portuguese – Vitinha and Nuno Mendes – to take home the prize.

Speaking to Canal11, Mourinho said his choices are based on team achievements and not just individual brilliance.

“For me, any individual trophy must always have a direct connection to titles,” Mourinho explained.
“I love them both [Vitinha and Mendes]… I’d like one of them to win.”

He even joked that his agent, Jorge Mendes, who represents Yamal, might not be pleased with his preference.

Vitinha and Nuno Mendes had a standout year with Paris Saint-Germain, helping the club win a domestic treble and the UEFA Champions League. Their performance also helped PSG reach the FIFA Club World Cup final, where they eventually lost to Chelsea.

Despite Yamal and Dembele getting massive support from fans and pundits, Mourinho believes titles should matter most in deciding who wins the Ballon d’Or.

His comments are already sparking debates across football circles as the countdown to the 2025 award continues.