Most people consider the Ballon d’Or, an annual award given by France Football, to be the highest honor for individual success in football. The award honors the world’s best player for a whole calendar year, taking into consideration each player’s unique skill, consistency, and contributions to the team’s success. Rodri, Manchester City’s midfield guru, won the championship in 2024, concluding an incredible 2023–24 season in which he led City to a treble. However, an ACL injury sustained in August 2024 severely ended Rodri’s chances of retaining his title.
Now that the focus is on this season, a number of players have shown themselves to be serious contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The award’s selection criteria are complex and comprise:
Goals, assists, clean sheets, crucial passes, and total match effect are examples of individual statistics.
— Team Success: Results in international events, cup tournaments, and domestic leagues. Players that make major contributions to trophy victories frequently have an advantage.
— Consistency: Consistent excellence over the course of the year as opposed to flashes of genius.
— Big-Game Performances: Great players are frequently distinguished from legendary ones by their ability to perform in pivotal games, like finals or derbies.
Based on their performance, contributions, and ability to guide their clubs to victory this season, these 20 players could win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
10. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
One of the best young football players in the world, Florian Wirtz, made his Ballon d’Or shortlist debut in 2024 and appears to be a contender for many years to come. With 12 goals and 8 assists in all competitions this season, the 21-year-old has been playing well.
His capacity to succeed on the highest platform has been demonstrated by his particularly outstanding performances in the Champions League. But Bayer Leverkusen has found it difficult to duplicate the supremacy that won them the Bundesliga the previous season. Wirtz could have to improve his performances even more to make up for his team’s inconsistent play if he wants to join the Ballon d’Or elite.
9. English/Chelsea native Cole Palmer
This season, Cole Palmer has become one of the best players in the Premier League and has had a big impact on Chelsea, who have been revitalized under Enzo Maresca. Building on his performance that won him a spot on the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, the 21-year-old has already recorded 14 goals and six assists.
Palmer’s prospects of winning the Ballon d’Or, however, may be hampered by Chelsea’s elimination from the Champions League this season, notwithstanding his individual excellence. Palmer may still be considered for significant individual awards if the Blues’ comeback continues and he keeps up his current level of play.
8. England/Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane
Because of Bayern Munich’s impressive start to the Bundesliga season under Vincent Kompany, Harry Kane’s wait for a major prize may finally come to an end this season. In all competitions, the 31-year-old has been in incredible form, tallying 22 goals and dishing out eight assists.
Goals by themselves may no longer ensure Ballon d’Or success, but Kane stands out as a candidate because of his leadership abilities and all-around skill set. He might become a strong candidate for the prize if he can lead Bayern to both domestic and European success.
7. Real Madrid/France’s Kylian Mbappé
Although Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid debut hasn’t been as spectacular as many had anticipated, the French forward is nonetheless producing this season with 16 goals and four assists. He continues to play a crucial role in Los Blancos’ quest for additional hardware after having already assisted them in winning the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.
Although Mbappé’s ambition to win the Ballon d’Or is well known, the other players’ performances at Real Madrid have somewhat eclipsed his contribution. He might reaffirm his claim for football’s most coveted individual award if he can return to his peak performance and guide Madrid to more victory.
6. Germany/Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala
This season, Jamal Musiala, who is only 21 years old, has become one of Bayern Munich’s most inventive players. Musiala’s own contributions have been crucial, even though Harry Kane’s incredible 29 goal contributions in 20 games have taken center stage. In 23 games in all competitions, the German international has recorded 14 goals and five assists, solidifying his status as a playmaker.
Bayern has risen to the top of the Bundesliga with 36 points after 15 games thanks in large part to his achievements. Musiala’s growing impact is further demonstrated by his outstanding performances for Germany in the UEFA Nations League, when he produced two goals and three assists in four games. Musiala might emerge as a top candidate for the Ballon d’Or if Bayern wins several championships this season.
5. Robert Lewandowski, of Barcelona/Poland
Robert Lewandowski is still one of Europe’s most lethal strikers at 36 because he defies aging. In 27 games this season, the Polish veteran has scored 26 goals and contributed two assists, and he is not slowing down.
After Lewandowski was left off the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, many thought his finest days were over. He has, however, found his form again under Hansi Flick’s tutelage and is intent on winning the Golden Ball, which he just missed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lewandowski has only contributed one goal and two assists in four games for Poland in the UEFA Nations League, but his prospects will mostly rest on Barcelona’s ability to win a trophy this year.
4. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Despite only being 17 years old, Lamine Yamal continues to set records and enthrall fans after winning his third title of the season in Barcelona’s victory over Real Madrid. This season, the Barcelona wonderkid has been in incredible form, tallying nine goals and dishing out twelve assists in all competitions.
Many people believe the young star will have an even better future because of his inventiveness, vision, and extraordinary poise, which have already made him one of La Liga’s most fascinating and significant players.
Even though some of his colleagues have scored more goals than Yamal, his contributions to Barcelona’s campaign have been crucial. There has never been a player to win the Ballon d’Or before turning 21, but Yamal has three years to do so. He might create history sooner rather than later if he keeps going in the same direction.
3. Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
Despite almost missing out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Vinícius Júnior has gotten off to a fast start in 2025. The Brazilian winger was instrumental in Real Madrid’s victories in the Intercontinental Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Vinícius has made 23 appearances this season, recording 15 goals and nine assists despite missing four games due to injury. His performance on the global scene has been less impressive, though, as he has failed to score or provide an assist in Brazil’s four World Cup qualifying games.
Vinícius’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or depend on his capacity to guide Real Madrid to even greater glory. Los Blancos must improve in the Champions League, where they now sit 20th with nine points from six games, but they are also leading La Liga with 43 points from 19 games.
2. Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil)
As Barcelona’s most important player this season, Raphinha is having the best season of his career. Under Hansi Flick, the Brazilian winger has excelled, making 28 appearances in all competitions and dishing up 20 goals and 9 assists.
Additionally, he has performed well on the international front, with three goals in four games during Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Barcelona, who finished second in their group with 15 points from six games, recently defeated rival Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup and are still very much in the running for the Champions League.
Raphinha might become a strong candidate for the prized Ballon d’Or if he maintains his stellar play and helps Barcelona win more trophies.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
This season, Mohamed Salah has been nothing short of extraordinary, giving Liverpool, led by manager Arne Slot, performances of the highest caliber. The Egyptian forward has improved his game to amazing levels despite being in the last year of his contract; in 29 games across all competitions, he has scored 21 goals and provided 17 assists.
With two goals in three AFCON qualifiers for Egypt, Salah has also made an impact on the international scene. Liverpool now leads the Premier League and Champions League rankings with 46 and 18 points, respectively, thanks to his genius. The Reds have also advanced to the EFL Cup semifinals.
Salah will undoubtedly be a strong contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or if he can lead Liverpool to a season filled with trophies.
Other candidates not in the top ten:
11. Haaland, Erling
12. Bellingham, Jude
13. Van Dijk, Virgil
14. Saka Bukayo
15. Pedri
16. Magalhães, Gabriel
17. Griezmann, Antoine
18. Gyökeres, Viktor
19. Valverde Federico
20. Marmoush Omar
