The Ballon d’Or, football’s most coveted individual prize, has a new frontrunner for 2025. With last year’s winner, Rodri, sidelined by a season-ending ACL injury, the race is wide open for a new champion to emerge. As the European season reaches its climax, several exceptional talents have positioned themselves as serious contenders for the prestigious Golden Ball.
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Top 5 Potential Ballon d’Or Winners in 2025
1. Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
PSG’s French winger has undergone a remarkable transformation under Luis Enrique, emerging as the surprise frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Repositioned as a false nine, Dembele has been in scintillating form, particularly in 2025.
Key achievements:
- 33 goals and 13 assists across all competitions
- An astonishing 25 goals in 2025 alone
- Already secured Ligue 1 and French Super Cup titles
- Reached the Champions League final against Inter Milan
“Under Luis Enrique, Dembele has undergone a complete transformation,” reports Goal. “If he secures the domestic treble and lifts the Champions League trophy, Dembele’s case for the Ballon d’Or will be nearly undeniable.”
His explosive pace, technical brilliance, and newfound clinical finishing have made him the player to beat in this year’s race. After years of inconsistency at Barcelona, Dembele has finally fulfilled his immense potential in Paris.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 17 years old, Barcelona’s teenage sensation continues to defy expectations with performances that belie his tender age. The Spanish winger has been a revelation under Hansi Flick.
Key achievements:
- 17 goals and 25 assists across all competitions
- Standout performances in La Liga and Champions League
- Instrumental in Barcelona’s domestic success
- Already a European Championship winner with Spain
“Strictly judging him off the ‘eye-test’, he’s arguably the best player on the planet right now,” notes Planet Football. Former Italian manager Fabio Capello recently declared Yamal “the best footballer around at the moment and deserves to be crowned the Ballon d’Or.”
Despite Barcelona’s Champions League semifinal exit to Inter Milan, Yamal’s extraordinary season keeps him firmly in contention. No player has ever won the Ballon d’Or before turning 21, but Yamal could make history.
3. Raphinha (Barcelona)
The Brazilian winger has silenced his critics with a spectacular season that few could have predicted. After Barcelona nearly sold him last summer, Raphinha has emerged as their most decisive attacking player.
Key achievements:
- 34 goals and 25 assists across all competitions
- 13 goals and 9 assists in the Champions League alone
- Key contributor to Barcelona’s domestic success
- Statistically one of Europe’s most productive players
“With 32 goals and 25 assists across all competitions, he’s been the most productive player in Europe this season,” reports Planet Football. His Champions League numbers are particularly impressive, with goal contributions that “peak Messi or Ronaldo would’ve been proud of.”
Despite Barcelona’s European exit, Raphinha’s exceptional individual campaign keeps him among the frontrunners.
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s Egyptian King has been Europe’s outstanding player for much of the 2024-25 season, though his Ballon d’Or hopes have been somewhat dampened by Liverpool’s Champions League elimination.
Key achievements:
- 26 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League
- Leading both goals and assists charts in Europe’s top five leagues
- Instrumental in Liverpool’s domestic success
- Maintained elite production despite being in his 30s
“Being top for both goals (28) and assists (18) in Europe’s five major leagues is frankly outrageous. Peak Messi would be proud of these numbers,” notes Planet Football.
Salah’s case is reminiscent of Messi’s 2019 Ballon d’Or win, when the Argentine claimed the award despite not winning the Champions League or an international tournament. If Salah can lead Liverpool to Premier League glory, he could still become only the second African player to win the award.
5. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
The Argentine striker has been the talisman for an Inter Milan side that has reached the Champions League final. His clutch performances in key matches have elevated his status among Europe’s elite forwards.
Key achievements:
- Crucial goals in Champions League knockout stages
- Scored in both legs against Bayern Munich
- Found the net against Barcelona in the semifinal
- Led Inter to another strong domestic campaign
“While Martinez isn’t having his best campaign in terms of scoring, there can be no doubt that he’s Inter’s main talisman,” reports Planet Football. “If Martinez makes the difference in the Champions League final, he’ll shoot up this list once again.”
A Champions League victory could propel Martinez into serious contention, particularly if he delivers a match-winning performance against PSG in the final.
Honorable Mentions
Several other world-class players remain in the conversation, including:
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – Despite a slow start at his new club, Mbappe has accumulated impressive numbers (35 goals across all competitions) but saw his chances diminish after Madrid’s Champions League exit.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – After controversially missing out last year, the Brazilian winger (16 goals, 10 assists) remains one of the world’s most electrifying talents but needs more team success to bolster his case.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – The England captain has been prolific (37 goals across all competitions) and finally ended his trophy drought with the Bundesliga title, but Bayern’s Champions League elimination hurts his chances.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – At 36, the Polish striker continues to defy age with 40+ goals this season. Many feel he was robbed of the award in 2020, and his consistent excellence keeps him in the conversation.
Pedri (Barcelona) – While his numbers aren’t eye-catching (5 goals, 8 assists), the Spanish midfielder’s influence on Barcelona’s play has been immense, with many considering him the team’s most important player.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or race remains fluid, with the Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan likely to have a significant impact on the final standings. Without a major international tournament this summer, club success will be the determining factor in crowning football’s individual champion.
As the season concludes and the new Club World Cup approaches, these five stars have positioned themselves as the leading candidates to succeed Rodri as the world’s best player.
