Ballon d’Or 2025 Rankings: Top 10 Players Leading the Race

The Ballon d’Or is undoubtedly the most prestigious individual honour in football. While for some, the expectations were not met, for a lot of football fans, the authorities have crowned the rightful winner in 2024. The evening was full of football shenanigans, from teams refusing to attend the ceremony to players raising their voices about what they believe. Here, we attempt to look at the Ballon d’Or 2025 rankings on the basis of performances in the current season.

The night marked a new era as it was the first time that both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were not present at the ceremony. We have finally seen the Ronaldo-Messi domination come to an end. The 2024 Ballon d’Or is won by Rodri. The Spanish defensive midfielder had been the key towards Spain’s Euro success as well as Man City’s campaign last season.

While the individual brilliance has already been awarded to one of the best players from last season, due to the season-long injury, Rodri is less likely to defend his crown. Nonetheless, new contenders in line to get their hands on the accolade, the likes of Raphinha, Mo Salah, and Kylian Mbappe, are a few big names on the list. As top-flight football season comes to a close, the world will witness a new Ballon d’Or winner on September 22, 2025, in Paris. So, what do the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings look like? In this post, we will have a closer look at it.

Criteria Behind Ballon d’Or Rankings 2025

Our list of the Ballon d’Or Power Ranking 2025 rankings has been made after considering the following ranking factors:

Individual Performance and availability: Players were ranked based on their overall output during the 2024–25 season — goals, assists, consistency, match-winning moments, and individual brilliance.

Trophy Contribution: A player’s role in winning major club and international trophies (e.g., league titles, Champions League, international competitions) had a significant impact on their position.

Impact in Big Games: Performances in decisive matches (Classicos, UCL knockouts, cup finals) carried extra weight, as these are the moments that shape legacies.

Ballon d’Or 2025 Rankings – Top 10 List (April Update)

10. Erling Haaland (Norway)

Do we have to talk about his goal tally? The Norwegian had been unreal since his arrival in the Premier League. This season, City have been sluggish. But it was Erling Haaland who made sure of the results while the likes of De Bruyne and Rodri had been inconsistent due to injury.

The PFA winner Phil Foden had also started slowly, as he too is slowly getting his mojo back. Given the fact that the City always picks up their pace in the 2nd half of the season, Erling has a great shot to be crowned next year if he keeps up his goal tally (which is 30 goals so far) and continues to be in the Ballon d’Or 2025 rankings.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	40
Goals	30
Assists	4

9. Jude Bellingham (England)

The English midfielder keeps on getting better each season. In the 2024-25 season so far, he has 14 assists and 13 goals. There’s a reason why the Madrid fans hail him as one of the best players in the world at just 21. Jude Bellingham has been their key player and remains an undisputed starter in Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup.

The 21-year-old is the dominant figure in the midfield; his toughness to fight for the ball, phenomenal work rate, coupled with an eye for scoring goals, is what makes him a useful cog for the defending La Liga and European champions. Moreover, the midfielder has bonded well with the likes of Mbappe and Vinicius.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	48
Goals	13
Assists	14

8. Harry Kane (England)

While the Bavarians have struggled this season so far, in terms of stats, Harry Kane has delivered his performance. Despite being 31, there is no sign of stopping the Englishman. Under the newly appointed coach, Vincent Kompany, he has shone with 36 goals and 12 assists pretty much speak for themselves.

The 31-year-old last year claimed the Bundesliga Golden Boot last season. This term, the striker is racking up goals for fun in the top German division, moving towards his second successive golden boot. With the potential to win many trophies this season, the Englishman can lead the charts and establish himself as a strong contender.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	44
Goals	36
Assists	12

7. Vinicius Jr (Brazil)

While he, along with many, believed that the Brazilian would be crowned this year, it didn’t pan out the way it was envisioned. Real Madrid’s star boy hasn’t given up on his ambitions and has been working towards achieving the feat. So far, the Brazilian winger has 20 goals and 14 assists this season.

Vinicius Jr. won the UEFA Super Cup earlier this season, and the winger is in good form this campaign. As the season goes on, the 24-year-old will only get better. And with the potential of Los Blancos winning so many trophies, he will be a strong contender next year again, or should we say bring justice by himself in the Ballon d’Or 2025 race.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	49
Goals	20
Assists	14

Also Read: List of all men’s Ballon d’Or winners so far

6. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

With a phenomenal 40-goal tally and 3 assists for the Blaugrana this term. Do we really need to give a reason why Robert Lewandowski should not be a strong contender? He has seen it all and done it all. The last time he was in the Ballon d’Or race, he was bested by Messi to be the crowned winner. 

This year, the Polish International is proving to be getting his form back. The Pole had struggled under Xavi, but he has risen from the ashes under Hansi Flick. His recent amazing performance came against Los Blancos, where he scored twice. As the season progresses, he will add more goals to his name and punch his ticket to the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	49
Goals	40
Assists	3

5. Kylian Mbappe (France)

The Mbappe-Real Madrid transfer saga finally ended in the summer of 2024. When the Frenchman joined Los Blancos, it raised eyebrows about how Ancelotti would manage with two world-class left-wingers in the same team. Kylian Mbappe was welcomed by the UEFA Super Cup triumph before the start of the 2024-25 season.

While the Frenchman has up the level of a game in an instant and fortunately regained his confidence back and enjoying an amazing scoring spree for the Spanish Champions, he scored a superb hattrick to knock out Man City from the UEFA Champions League The former PSG striker is definitely a favourite to claim the Ballon d’Or 2025.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	51
Goals	35
Assists	4

Also Read: List of all men’s Ballon d’Or winners so far

4. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Nobody knows why Mohamed Salah was not among the nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2025 rankings. It would be a disaster for the authorities if someone wanted to reason this argument with statistics. The Egyptian king has already netted 32 goals and 23 assists this season so far, leading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League.

The 32-year-old has proven to be decisive in the important league. The last time the trophy was won by an African was back in 1995 when George Weah was crowned. Will history be written again in 2025? Maybe. But with the recent EFL Cup final loss and Champions League heartbreak, his chances look dicey.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	49
Goals	33
Assists	23

Also Read: 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony: categories, nominees, and winners- All you need to know

3. Lamine Yamal (Spain)

Crowned champion for the Kopa trophy this year, Lamine Yamal had a breakout season. The La Masia sensation already had outlets talking before the Euros began and after the 2024 European Championship success. However, if you ever tune in to La Liga, you will know how special the teenager is.

So far, he has 15 goals and 24 assists in the 2024-25 season. From smooth movements to amazing agility, he has everything to be better and better as time passes. And with such a strong team and coach behind him, he will be a serious contender next year.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	51
Goals	15
Assists	24

2. Raphinha (Brazil)

If there is an example of the right mindset guiding you to the right path, it is Raphinha. Ever since the days of Leeds, the Brazilian has shown to have a strong character and principles. On his arrival at Barcelona, the former Leeds attacker initially struggled a little with Xavi Ball, but under Hansi Flick and has been on fire. 

He has made the Spanish pundits rethink the discussion for the best Winger in the League. So far, he has 32 goals and 25 assists this season, with his recent one gliding on the nets in El Clásico. The Brazilian is playing his best football right now and if we speak about momentum, he might spoil a lot of players’ parties in the Ballon d’Or 2025 ranking by emerging as a top candidate.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	53
Goals	32
Assists	25

1. Ousmane Dembele (France)

The arrival of Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain has changed things for the better for the players and the club. Be it the discipline or passion, the club has been very different this season. Among the warriors, Ousmane Dembele has been leading the team by example with his extraordinary performances for the Parisians.

The French International has bagged 33 goals and provided 13 assists so far in the season, including two sensational hat-tricks in the Champions League and Ligue 1. The winger continues to play an important role for the French giants, as they are looking to grab their first-ever European glory on the back of a brilliant campaign.

Key Stats	Figures
Matches	46
Goals	33
Assists	13

Also Read: Ballon d’Or 2024 Power Rankings: Rodri defeats Vinicius Jr. by 41 points

Ballon d’Or 2025 Power Ranking

S No	Player Name	Club	Country
1	Ousmane Dembele	PSG	France
2	Raphinha	Barcelona	Brazil
3	Lamine Yamal	Barcelona	Spain
4	Mohamed Salah	Liverpool	Egypt
5	Kylian Mbappe	Real Madrid	France
6	Robert Lewandowski	Barcelona	Poland
7	Vinicius Jr.	Real Madrid	Brazil
8	Harry Kane	Bayern Munich	England
9	Jude Bellingham	Real Madrid	England
10	Erling Haaland	Man City	Norway

Who Can Still Break into the Top 10?

Several players are knocking on the door and could easily break into the top 10 if they maintain their form or secure major silverware. Here’s a quick look:

Player	Club	Key Contribution
Phil Foden	Manchester City	PFA Player of the Year contender
Jamal Musiala	Bayern Munich	Leading Bundesliga scorers
Bukayo Saka	Arsenal	Key figure in Arsenal’s title push
Lautaro Martínez	Inter Milan	Serie A’s top scorer
Florian Wirtz	Bayer Leverkusen	Bundesliga breakout star

Also Read: 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony: categories, nominees, and winners- All you need to know

Past Ballon d’Or Winners (2015–2024)

Year	Winner	Club
2015	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
2016	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid
2017	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid
2018	Luka Modrić	Real Madrid
2019	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
2020	Cancelled	–
2021	Lionel Messi	PSG
2022	Karim Benzema	Real Madrid
2023	Lionel Messi	Inter Miami
2024	Rodri	Manchester City

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Final Thoughts – Who Will Win Ballon d’Or 2025?

The 2025 Ballon d’Or race is tighter than it has been in years. Ousmane Dembele’s surge under Luis Enrique has made him the frontrunner, but players like Salah and Raphinha are breathing down his neck. Everything will come down to the final stages of the season and the big trophies.

If Dembele can maintain his staggering output and lead PSG to their first-ever Champions League trophy, he could cap off his incredible journey with football’s greatest individual prize. However, don’t count out Mohamed Salah or Raphinha, whose form could still tip the scales in their favour as the season reaches its climax.

Also Read: Ranking the 10 youngest Ballon d’Or winners in history

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