The countdown has started for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, football’s biggest individual award. The ceremony will take place on Monday, 22 September, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
This year, the race is very close, and many people are calling it one of the most exciting competitions in Ballon d’Or history. With just a few days to go, the winner is still uncertain — but many fans believe the trophy will stay in France.
Here are the top 5 players in the running for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, based on Zonal Sports’ power rankings:
1. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Dembélé is the favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or. He had a brilliant season, helping PSG win a historic treble — the French league, the French Cup, and their first-ever Champions League.
Once known for injuries, the fast French winger proved everyone wrong, scoring 21 league goals and playing a key part in the 5–0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. He gave two assists in the final and had 14 goal contributions in the tournament.
He also had the best goal-scoring rate in Europe — a goal every 73 minutes in Ligue 1. If he wins, Dembélé will be the first Frenchman this century to win the Ballon d’Or.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Only 18 years old, Yamal is already one of the world’s brightest stars. He helped Barcelona win a domestic treble, scoring 9 goals and giving 13 assists in La Liga.
His amazing solo goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final went viral. He also led Europe in successful dribbles and became the youngest player to ever score in a UCL semi-final. Some fans believe he could be the first teenager to win the Ballon d’Or.
3. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Brazilian winger Raphinha also played a big part in Barcelona’s success. He scored 18 goals and made 9 assists in La Liga.
In the Champions League, he made history by finishing top for both goals and assists — something no one had done before. His strong performances, especially in big games like El Clásico, make him a real challenger.
4. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Vitinha was the key man in PSG’s midfield during their treble-winning season. Known for his calm play and smart passing, he had a passing accuracy of over 95% in the Champions League.
He was vital in games against Aston Villa and Arsenal. Even though he only scored 6 goals and made 2 assists, his role in the team was hugely important. Still, with Dembélé in the spotlight, Vitinha might not get enough votes to win.
5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah had another excellent season for Liverpool, scoring 29 goals and giving 18 assists as the team won the Premier League title.
His numbers were similar to those of Lionel Messi in his prime. However, Liverpool’s quiet Champions League campaign may hurt Salah’s chances. Still, at 31, he remains one of the world’s top players and is well-deserving of a top-five spot.