The most desirable individual honour in football is the Ballon d’Or award, that admires the player who has produced the best performances during the season. As the nominees of the Ballon d’Or 2025 are going to be announced in August this year, the speculations and the hype around it are at their maximum. The race this year is as open as ever before, and there is a new generation of stars getting into the limelight.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees, the power rankings, and why this edition is so significant.
What Is the Ballon d’Or?
The Ballon d’Or is a yearly football prize given by France Football. It awards the best male football player in the world; this is according to their performances in the past season. An international panel of journalists determines the award; they vote among a shortlist of nominees.
When Will the Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees Be Announced?
Nominee Reveal Date: August 7, 2025
According to the traditional schedule provided by France Football, the official list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2025 will be announced at the start of August.
Award Ceremony Date: September 22, 2025
The winner’s announcement will be done in a grand event at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Ballon d’Or 2025 Power Rankings
Here are the current Ballon d’Or 2025 power rankings, reflecting the players’ performances in the 2024/25 season.
| Rank | Player | Club | Country | Age | Key Achievements |
| 1 | Ousmane Dembele | PSG | France | 28 | Ligue 1, UCL, Coupe de France, 50 G+A, 2 intl. G+A |
| 2 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain | 17 | La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, 47 G+A, 9 intl. G+A |
| 3 | Raphinha | Barcelona | Brazil | 28 | La Liga, Copa del Rey, 64 G+A |
| 4 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | Egypt | 32 | Premier League, 60 G+A |
| 5 | Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid | France | 26 | Super Cup, 52 G+A, 8 intl. G+A |
| 6 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | England | 31 | Bundesliga, 57 G+A |
| 7 | Vinicius Jr. | Real Madrid | Brazil | 24 | UEFA Super Cup, 41 G+A |
| 8 | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | England | 21 | UEFA Super Cup, 32 G+A |
| 9 | Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona | Poland | 36 | La Liga, Copa del Rey, 49 G+A |
| 10 | Vitinha | PSG | Portugal | 25 | Ligue 1, UCL, 13 G+A |
Also Read: FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Top Favourites And Underdogs
Important Factors That Determine the Ballon d’Or 2025 Power Rankings
Individual Performance
Most important is a player’s stats—goals, assists, and overall impact on the pitch. Consistency in major games, particularly in the Champions League and international competitions, is strongly regarded.
Major Trophies
Lifting major trophies such as the Champions League, domestic league, and international competitions greatly increases a player’s chances. Team success tends to indicate a player’s capacity for delivering in times of pressure.
Champions League Impact
The world’s premier club competition is still the Champions League. The Ballon d’Or voting tends to favor players who do well in important knockout matches and finals.
International Form
Performances for the national team, especially in major tournaments, play a key role. Players who lead their countries to glory or deliver match-winning moments are highly regarded.
In-Depth Analysis: Why These Players Lead the Ballon d’Or 2025 Race
Ousmane Dembele (PSG, France)
Ousmane Dembele is now favorite to win Ballon d’Or 2025. He delivered a career-best season, scoring 35 goals and providing 15 assists in 49 appearances as PSG swept a continental treble, including Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League.
Dembele was named both Ligue 1 Player of the Year and UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, finishing as Ligue 1 joint-top scorer with 21 goals and setting a new record for most goal contributions by a French club player in a single Champions League campaign. Dembele’s decisive performances—such as a hat-trick against Stuttgart, crucial goals against Manchester City and Arsenal, and two assists in the Champions League final—cemented his status as the Ballon d’Or 2025 frontrunner.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
At just 17, Lamine Yamal was the driving force behind Barcelona’s domestic treble, tallying 47 goal contributions (goals and assists) for his club and adding 9 more for Spain. His creativity, technical skill, and composure in high-pressure matches helped Barcelona secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. Yamal’s maturity and consistency at such a young age have made him one of the most exciting prospects in world football and a leading Ballon d’Or 2025 contender.
Raphinha (Barcelona, Brazil)
With 39 goals throughout all competitions, Raphinha played a key role in Barcelona’s successful campaign. Barcelona had a consistent offensive source thanks to his goal creation and finishing opportunities, particularly in crucial Champions League and La Liga games. Raphinha’s flair, vision, and hard work have helped the team win trophies this season.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
Mohamed Salah maintained his status as a world-class player and helped Liverpool to their next Premier League title, contributing 60 goals. His presence as a leader, experience, and ability to score in vital situations helped keep the Liverpool attack keen throughout the whole season. Salah has been so consistent in his performances, whether in domestic or international games, that he has frequently found himself on the list of Ballon d’Or favourites.
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France)
Kylian Mbappe ended his first season in Real Madrid with 45 goal contributions and a UEFA Super Cup title. His blistering speed, finishing skills, and his performances in the major games in club and country colors have cemented his place as one of the top forwards in the world. The forward is still a regular Ballon d’Or candidate because of his performances when it matters most.
Other Notable Contenders
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): Harry Kane once again proved to be the lucky charm of Bayern Munich, netting 44 times and assisting 13 times in all competitions. It was his leadership and steady performance that helped Bayern to win another Bundesliga title, which made him one of the best forwards in Europe.
Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid): Vinicius Jr. dazzled with his pace and skill, contributing 22 goals and 19 assists for Real Madrid this season. He was instrumental in their UEFA Super Cup win and remained a key attacking threat, especially in high-stakes La Liga fixtures.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): Jude Bellingham continued to dazzle in a box-to-box role, scoring 15 goals and providing 17 assists as the midfielder had a solid anchor role in Real Madrid. His age and influence in key games both in the Premier League and in Europe have given him a sky-rocketing value that makes him one of the most valuable young midfielders on the globe.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona): Robert Lewandowski, who is already 36 years old, scored 44 goals in the 2024–2025 season and showed no signs of slowing down. He played a significant role in Barcelona’s La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa victories and served as a model of professionalism and consistency.
Vitinha (PSG): Vitinha has become an important PSG midfield player, scoring 7 times and assisting 6. His work rate and vision played a central role in the treble-winning campaign with PSG, and that makes him one of the most improved players in Europe this season.
How is the Ballon d’Or Winner Decided?
The winner of the Ballon d’Or is decided by a foreign panel of journalists. Each of the journalists turns in a ballot with the top five players out of the 30-man nominated list, with the first position getting five points, the second getting four points, and so on. They are given points according to their rankings, and the player who has accumulated the most points is declared the winner.
It takes place in the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris and is a glitzy event where football greats, celebrities, and media from around the world gather. In addition to celebrating the winner, the event recognizes the greatest football performances worldwide.
