Ballon d’Or 2025: Top 10 Players Leading the Race
The race for football’s most prestigious individual honour is heating up, and the conversation is narrowing to a handful of standout names. While the official winner will not be announced until later this year, analysts and fans alike are already weighing the performances that could define the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Here are the ten players most widely tipped as frontrunners, in no particular order:
1. Raphinha
The Brazilian winger has been in scintillating form, carrying Barcelona through crucial fixtures and making a strong case for himself on the global stage.
2. Lamine Yamal
At just 17, Yamal is rewriting records. His breakout season has not only turned him into one of Europe’s most exciting talents but also made him a genuine Ballon d’Or contender.
3. Ousmane Dembélé
Often criticised for inconsistency in the past, Dembélé’s resurgence at PSG has been remarkable. His pace, creativity, and big-game influence put him firmly in the spotlight.
4. Vitinha
The Portuguese midfielder has been instrumental in PSG’s midfield, dictating tempo and stepping up in decisive matches. His all-round brilliance has won him recognition across Europe.
5. Achraf Hakimi
Defenders rarely make Ballon d’Or headlines, but Hakimi’s consistent dominance for club and country has put him in contention. His pace and defensive versatility stand out.
6. Cole Palmer
From academy prospect to one of the Premier League’s most influential young stars, Palmer’s rise at Chelsea has been rapid. His goals and assists make him impossible to ignore.
7. Kylian Mbappé
Even in a year of mixed fortunes, Mbappé remains one of the most prolific scorers in world football. His reputation and numbers alone keep him in the top bracket.
8. Nuno Mendes
The young Portuguese left-back has developed into a reliable and decisive player. His role in PSG’s campaigns has earned him a surprising but deserved spot in the race.
9. Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian forward continues to deliver consistently for Liverpool. While team trophies may weigh against him, his individual numbers keep him in the discussion.
10. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Goalkeepers rarely break through in Ballon d’Or voting, but Donnarumma’s commanding presence and match-winning saves this season have put him in the reckoning.
The Bigger Picture
Most prediction lists place these names among the favourites, with performances in the Champions League, domestic leagues, and international competitions likely to be decisive. Players such as Vinícius Júnior and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are also hovering close behind, but this group of ten currently leads the narrative heading into the final stretch of the year.
