Ballon d'Or 2025 race heats up: Top 5 favorites revealed
Top contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or (photo: )
On September 22, the Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. After a triumphant season with Paris Saint-Germain, the French winger has become the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, reports Zonal Sports.
Who will win the 2025 Ballon d'Or: Top five candidates
Analysts have published an updated ranking of contenders based on individual statistics, team trophies, and players' impact in decisive matches. Currently, PSG’s French winger Ousmane Dembélé holds the top spot.
1. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) – 135.5 points
Once considered injury-prone, Dembélé delivered a brilliant season. He became Ligue 1's top scorer, helped PSG win both the league title and the French Cup, and—most importantly—led the club to a historic UEFA Champions League victory.
In the final against Inter, Dembélé provided two assists, and in the tournament overall, he recorded 8 goals and 6 assists in 15 matches.
His scoring efficiency—one goal every 73 minutes—was the best among all players in Europe's top five leagues.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 120.97 points
The 17-year-old prodigy from La Masia has long been compared to Messi.
In the 2024/25 season, Yamal scored 9 goals and provided 13 assists in La Liga, becoming Barcelona's main driving force in the Champions League.
He became the youngest player to score in a semifinal of the tournament and completed 14 dribbles in the return leg against Inter, just one shy of Messi's record.
3. Raphinha (Barcelona) – 113.2 points
The Brazilian once again proved his value, transforming from a wide playmaker into a true attacking leader.
His stats are impressive: 18 goals and 9 assists in La Liga, plus 13 goals and 8 assists in the Champions League.
4. Vitinha (PSG) – 109.59 points
A key component of Luis Enrique's tactical scheme, Vitinha is the architect of PSG's play, boasting a 95% pass accuracy in the Champions League.
His influence goes beyond stats. He was the engine of midfield balance, controlled the tempo, and provided the team with much-needed dynamism.
5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 104.36 points
Liverpool's Egyptian talisman had another remarkable Premier League season with 29 goals and 18 assists. However, Liverpool's Champions League exit in the Round of 16 against PSG significantly hurt his chances.
The Premier League title is a strong argument, but it is unlikely to outweigh the European defeat.
Top 15 contenders for the 2025 Ballon d'Or (by points):
- Ousmane Dembélé – PSG
- Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
- Raphinha – Barcelona
- Vitinha – PSG
- Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
- João Neves – PSG
- Achraf Hakimi – PSG
- Pedri – Barcelona
- Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
- Nuno Mendes – PSG
- Harry Kane – Bayern
- Joshua Kimmich – Bayern
- Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
- Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
- Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund
Last year's winner
The 2024 Ballon d'Or was awarded to Spaniard Rodri. He became only the third Spanish player in history to win the award.
The last time a Spaniard won the title of world's best player was in 1960, when Luis Suárez took the prize. Alfredo Di Stéfano also previously received the award.
Previously, we wrote about the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Ukraine and France.
