In summary, Rodri became the first Spaniard since 1960 to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Although he is one of the favourites for 2025, Vinicius Jr. was disappointed not to win the prize.
Over the course of the upcoming year, Lamine Yamal might position himself to become the first teen winner.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri was chosen the 2024 winner ahead of Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, seemingly ending the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly over the Ballon d’Or. With Messi and Ronaldo now playing outside of Europe, it seems as though Rodri’s win officially ushers in a new era. The midfielder played a key role in both club and national triumph.
Although the Spaniard is a worthy winner this year, it is highly doubtful that the 28-year-old will be able to successfully defend his title due to an ACL injury he sustained early in the 2024–25 season. This implies that 2025 will bring a new champion to the table, unless there is a miraculous comeback and some outstanding performances.
The coveted individual award used to be determined by a football player’s performance over the course of a year. But this time, for the third time in the award’s history, the votes are determined by the season’s outcomes. In light of this, we have compiled a list of 20 possible 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees and ranked them according to their performance thus far before this October’s ceremony.
Factors that rank
Based on the following, we have established the order:
Scored goals
Helps
Clean sheets (if you’re defensive)
Trophies obtained or faced challenges for (anticipated to)
The 2024–2025 season’s high points General form Ballon d’Or Power Rankings
Rank
The player
Club
Nation
Place
1.
Salah Mohamed
Liverpool
Egypt
Moving forward
2.
Mbappe Kylian
Real Madrid
France
Moving forward
3.
Raphinha
Barcelona
Brazil
Moving forward
4.
Junior Vinicius
Real Madrid
Brazil
Moving forward
5.
Yamal Lamine
Barcelona
Spain
Moving forward
6.
Kane, Harry
The Bayern Munich
England
Moving forward
7.
Lewandowski, Robert
Barcelona
Poland
Moving forward
8.
Bellingham, Jude
Real Madrid
England
A midfielder
9.
Musiala Jamal
The Bayern Munich
Germany
A midfielder
10.
Van Dijk, Virgil
Liverpool
The Netherlands
Protector
11.
Wirtz, Florian
The Bayern Munich
Germany
Moving forward
12.
Pedri
Barcelona
Spain
A midfielder
13.
Alvarez Julian
Real Madrid
Argentina
Moving forward
14.
Haaland, Erling
City of Manchester
Norway
Moving forward
15.
Palmer, Cole
Chelsea
England
Moving forward
16.
Griezmann, Antoine
Real Madrid
France
Moving forward
17.
Dembele Ousmane
Saint-Germain, Paris
France
Moving forward
18.
Isak, Alexander
Newcastle
Sweden
Moving forward
19.
Martinez, Lautaro
Milan Inter
Argentina
Moving forward
20.
Gyokeres, Viktor
Lisbon Sporting
Sweden
Moving forward
10Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool & Netherlands
Given that Liverpool’s outstanding start under Arne Slot appeared to be the result of a strong defence put together by the Dutchman, Virgil van Dijk might have been much higher on this list if it weren’t for another player taking centre stage. Liverpool is currently comfortably leading the Premier League after winning the first Champions League league phase. However, there will be more on him later because the Reds’ enormous captain is deserving of his own kudos.
Van Dijk, who finished second in the 2019 tournament after infamously going a complete season without being dribbled past, is beginning to look like he’s getting back to his best this season. Slot can always count on the captain to make up the numbers at the back, even though his teammates have been a little slow lately. In fact, he trusted him as a lone centre-back for the last few minutes of their January trip to Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in 2024–2025
Games
40
Objectives
3.
Helps
One
9Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich & Germany
In the last moments of the 2022–2023 season, Jamal Musiala led Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga victory, but like his teammates, he had a more subdued campaign after that. However, the incredible young player, who is considered to be among the world’s best dribblers, is virtually unstoppable when he is at the races.
Defenders detest seeing him charge at them because his rangy frame makes it easy for him to hold onto the ball. You can bet your bottom dollar that Musiala, 22, will be crowned the leading star of the beautiful game as long as Vincent Kompany and his team continue to challenge and win trophies.
In 2024–2025, Jamal Musiala will play for Bayern Munich.
Games
37
Objectives
17
Helps
7.
8Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid & England
When Jude Bellingham announced that he was leaving Borussia Dortmund for the Spanish top flight, few supporters anticipated the impact he would have on Real Madrid’s ambitions. However, the lanky midfielder, a 40-cap, six-goal England international, scored an impressive 23 goals and added 13 assists in all competitions.
The Stourbridge-born star has been equally important in a less attacking role, even though his goal contributions to Carlo Ancelotti’s goals dried up a little in the new campaign. He is now responsible for managing the Madrid-based engine room alongside players like Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. It’s important to note that his dubious disciplinary record is maybe the largest obstacle to his continued success rather than his skill.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in 2024–2025
Games
36
Objectives
11.
Helps
11.
7Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona & Poland
Since the typically talismanic goalscorer was not performing to the level that supporters had been accustomed to, there were concerns that Robert Lewandowski was starting a gradual decline last season. The adage “father time catches up with everyone” seemed to apply to the former Bayern Munich player as well.
But Hansi Flick’s arrival at Camp Nou has given the former Bayern Munich striker new life, and he is scoring goals like he is in his prime once more. The Polish forward, who has 34 goals and three assists in 39 games, may be seeking retribution as he attempts to win the Ballon d’Or award that was denied to him in 2020.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in 2024–2025
Games
39
Objectives
34
Helps
3.
6Harry Kane
Bayern Munich & England
After his setbacks with both club, Bayern Munich, and country, England, over the past 12 months, trophy-hungry Harry Kane will be inspired by trophies this season. Even while it might be his main objective, his contribution to its accomplishment could get him a lot of praise on his own.
The game is all about goals, and Kane is an expert at scoring them. There could be no stopping the London-born talisman, who is considered to be one of England’s best forwards ever, if he can bring home trophies and possibly even a European one to Allianz Arena and maintain his early excellent form.
Harry Kane in 2024–2025 for Bayern Munich
Games
36
Objectives
32
Helps
11.
5Lamine Yamal
Barcelona & Spain
Indeed, there has never been a young winner of the Ballon d’Or before, and Lamine Yamal still has a few more years to accomplish this. The question of whether he can actually succeed is up in the air if he keeps up his amazing upward trajectory.
Yamal exemplifies the adage “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough” because he has already put one of the biggest clubs in Europe on his back since he was 15 and helped lead his nation to a European Championship at 16. Although he has already smashed a number of records, might this be his best? He currently has every reason to think he can succeed. According to his manager Hansi Flick, there is currently just one greater player in the world of football.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in 2024–2025
Games
37
Objectives
Twelve
Helps
17
4Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid & Brazil
Vinicius Jr. could have to wait another year to become the first Brazilian since Kaka to win the coveted trophy after he declined to attend the 2024 Ballon d’Or presentation after learning he wouldn’t be the winner. Understandingably, the winger was taken aback by the fact that he lost the last time around. He had been the favourite even on the day of the gala, after all.
Though it wasn’t intended for Vinicius, he might very well be among the front-runners when all of football’s top players get together in their finest attire if he can have another season that is comparable to or better than what he has done in the last two years. He currently leads a chaotic Los Blancos team that is struggling to find their footing at a crucial point in the season with 18 goals and 11 assists.
| Vinicius Junior for Real Madrid in 2024/25 | |
|---|---|
| Games | 37 |
| Goals | 18 |
| Assists | 11
|
3Raphinha
Barcelona & Brazil
Raphinha, who was once the face of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United, has started to quiet his detractors with his combination of skill and firepower, which is too much for defenders in the top division of Spain and, moreover, at the top table of Europe, where Hansi Flick and company are causing problems for every opposition defence. When one of the biggest teams in the world, Barcelona, paid for the Brazilian, eyebrows were undoubtedly raised.
But with Raphinha, 28, putting up tremendous stats over 2024–2025 (25 goals and 18 assists in 40 appearances), Flick and his group have had the last laugh. It’s still unclear if his strength in the closing third can be sustained, but if Blaugrana adds more trophies to their collection, who can argue against it?
Barcelona’s Raphinha in 2024–2025
Games
38
Objectives
25
Helps
16
2Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid & France
It seems certain that Kylian Mbappe will take the renowned golden ball from the top of the podium at some point in his career. The French forward, who is currently in his mid-20s, is getting closer to being the greatest football player in the world. He has been hailed as Messi and Ronaldo’s heir. He stands a better chance of winning the Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid than he had at Paris Saint-Germain, even though they say they feel humiliated by France Football.
His recent form indicates that he has everything he needs to become the main man at the Bernabeu. He already appears more comfortable in the center-forward position than he did before the year began, proving that adaptability is not an issue for the 2018 World Cup winner. The only problem at this point is that he is not the only superstar in the Spanish capital hoping to win the award.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in 2024–2025
Games
41
Objectives
28
Helps
4.
1Mohamed Salah
Liverpool & Egypt
Mohamed Salah’s impact at Liverpool since moving to Anfield is exemplified by his incredible return of 44 goal contributions in his first 29 Premier League games. The Egyptian King is still among the top players in the Premier League, even if he is nearing the end of his career and is working under a new manager for the first time since moving to Merseyside.
As he ages, he actually appears to be improving. History has demonstrated that when it comes to determining who receives particular awards, statistical data is becoming increasingly significant. Salah is so undoubtedly a serious early candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, particularly if Liverpool wins the Premier League and/or Champions League on Slot’s first try.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in 2024–2025
Games
42
Objectives
32
Helps
22
