In brief
The top 10 for the 2025 Ballon d’Or have been predicted by AI.
Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, two Real Madrid players, are not included.
The list includes two Premier League players and four Barcelona players.
Players have essentially already reaffirmed their eligibility for the renowned award as the 2024–2025 season comes to a finish and the two-thirds stage of the Ballon d’Or calendar approaches. Since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s days of consistently winning are over, the competition for the golden ball has become much more unexpected, with a number of possible winners in the running.
Due to the difficulty of making a decision, GIVEMESPORT asked Grok AI to predict the winner of the ceremony later this year.
10Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
The AI stated: “Kane’s 24 Bundesliga goals and 11 Champions League goals demonstrate his exceptional goal-scoring talent, but his chances were harmed by Bayern’s loss to Inter in the UCL quarterfinals and lack of European hardware. His candidacy for the European Golden Shoe is noteworthy, but players with team honors are given preference for the Ballon d’Or.
With Bayern Munich only one game away from being crowned Bundesliga champions, it appears that Harry Kane’s search for a major title is about to end. But the division’s prestige is insufficient to move the Englishman up the rankings, and as there isn’t an international competition this summer, Kane’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or aren’t enhanced by his exploits for the Three Lions.
9Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan
The AI stated: “Martinez is Inter’s talisman, scoring in both legs against Bayern Munich to secure a UCL semi-final spot. His 21 goals across competitions, despite not being at his peak scoring form, keep him relevant. Inter’s Serie A chase and deep UCL run make him a contender, but his lower goal tally compared to forwards like Kane or Lewandowski may cap his ranking.” Of course, Lautaro Martinez’s all-around game is more than just putting the ball in the net, but he will have a difficult time surpassing some of the other names on this list when his statistical data doesn’t stand out to the same extent.
8Declan Rice
Arsenal
“Rice’s outstanding performances, including two outstanding free-kick goals against Real Madrid in the UCL, have elevated his status,” the AI stated. He is a dark horse because of his dominance in midfield and his seven goals and ten assists across all competitions. He might benefit from Arsenal’s possible first Champions League championship, but midfielders seldom win back-to-back games, and his lack of impressive attacking numbers might make him less popular.
Declan Rice has gradually surpassed players like William Saliba, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka to become Arsenal’s most valuable player. Even if he has often demonstrated that he can put the Gunners on his back, it is unlikely that this will be sufficient for him to take the top slot.
7Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid
According to the AI, Mbappe had a successful first season at Real Madrid with 33 goals, including 22 in La Liga and seven in the Champions League. His clutch talent is demonstrated by his hat-trick against Manchester City in the UCL playoffs. But Real Madrid’s lack of trophies and their loss to Arsenal in the UCL quarterfinals seriously undermine his argument.
Many would argue that Kylian Mbappe has been charmed to deceive, despite the AI’s assertion that he has had a successful start to life in Madrid. Although 33 goals is a fantastic total for most, it falls short of what fans have grown to expect from the French superstar, even though he has had his moments. He hasn’t always gotten along with other well-known teammates, and Carlo Ancelotti even saw him as an issue at the beginning of the season.
6Pedri
Barcelona
“Pedri’s comeback under Flick has been outstanding, as the 22-year-old has demonstrated all-around quality as a leader in Barcelona’s system,” the AI stated. After Rodri’s 2024 victory, he has a tough battle ahead of him as a midfielder. A Champions League victory would propel him forward, but Barcelona’s attacking players will probably outperform him.
For a while, it seemed that Barcelona teammate Gavi would surpass Pedri, but this season, he has solidified his position as the engine room’s future. Everyone is aware that Pedri has the best chance of winning the award this time around despite the fact that it is unlikely that anyone other than an attacking player will.
5Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
“With 40 goals in 48 games, including 11 in the Champions League, Lewandowski is defying age,” the AI stated. A possible UCL championship with Barcelona might further propel him, and his prolific scoring in La Liga and Europe puts him in the spotlight. Although his 2020 Ballon d’Or cancellation lends an emotional touch, more inventive players might eclipse his position as a true No. 9.
Robert Lewandowski had been written off by many following a relatively poor 2023–24 campaign. The Polish star has responded with an incredible season that has him in the race for the European Golden Shoe, but he still trails two of his teammates in our ranking, proving that father time hasn’t yet caught up with him.
4Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
With 33 goals and 23 assists in all competitions, Salah is experiencing a career-best season and is statistically one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking threats, according to the AI. Although Liverpool’s Premier League victory under Arne Slot supports his argument, their early Champions League loss to PSG severely hurts his chances because UCL success is frequently crucial. Although others think that the PFA Player of the Year is a more realistic aim, bookmakers still place him highly.
The AI correctly predicts that Liverpool’s dismal Champions League performance will hurt Mohamed Salah’s chances of becoming the second African player to win the Ballon d’Or. At one point, Salah appeared to be the clear favorite to win the award.
3Lamine Yamal
Barcelona
“At just 17 years old, Yamal is a global superstar in the making,” the AI stated. He is a serious contender because of his 15 goals and 24 assists for Barcelona as well as his fearless Champions League performances (such as against Inter). His reputation as the first teenage Ballon d’Or winner might help him soar if Barcelona wins significant hardware.
Gary Lineker already supports him, and the AI has now predicted that Lamine Yamal will finish strongly in the Ballon d’Or. Don’t bet on Los Cules winning a treble; if he does, he would become the youngest person to receive the trophy, surpassing Ronaldo Nazario.
2Ousmane Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain
According to the AI: “Under Luis Enrique, Dembele has established himself as a reliable player, scoring 33 goals in 45 club appearances—21 in Ligue 1 and eight in the Champions League. His argument is supported by PSG’s commanding lead in Ligue 1 and their journey to the UCL semifinals. His big-stage credentials are demonstrated by his spectacular performances versus top clubs. However, his chances may be somewhat hampered by Ligue 1’s alleged lesser quality of competition.
When Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona, many saw him as a potential great. The ambidextrous French winger has been in excellent form and may be ready to lead his team to their first European Cup victory, even though it may have taken a few more years for this talent to emerge and at a totally different club.
1Raphinha
Barcelona
What the AI stated: “Raphinha’s incredible form for Barcelona has made him a front-runner, topping numerous power rankings. With 12 goals and 9 assists, he is second in the Champions League scoring charts and has surpassed Lionel Messi’s all-time highs for a single UCL season. He is a front-runner because of his crucial contribution to Barcelona’s La Liga and Champions League campaigns under Hansi Flick and their high chances of winning the UCL. Appeal is added by his story of redemption—from a perceived failure to a sought-after celebrity.
What if we had said this a year ago? Vinicius Junior appeared to be the man who would bring an end to Brazil’s nearly two-decade-long wait for a Ballon d’Or winner. Despite beginning the season as a possible departure at Camp Nou, Raphinha now has the best chance to emerge from the shadows following an incredible season.
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