Explore the top five greatest Player for the Ballon d’or 2025, football’s most prestigious individual honor. From rising stars to seasoned champions, these players have delivered standout performances in domestic leagues, the UEFA Champions League, and international competitions. Discover who is leading the race and making headlines on the global stages.
5.Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
In the 2024–25 season, Mohamed Salah delivered an outstanding campaign with 36 goals and 24 assists, playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s triumphant Premier League title run.
Speculation surrounding Salah’s future was finally laid to rest after he signed a new two-year contract with the Reds. Under new manager Arne Slot, the Egyptian superstar returned to his very best—and perhaps even surpassed it—earning widespread praise for leading Liverpool to domestic glory.
Once considered the clear frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Salah’s chances took a hit following Liverpool’s unexpected exit in the Champions League Round of 16 and his quiet performance in the Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle. At 32, he remains a strong contender and could still become Africa’s first Ballon d’Or winner since George Weah in 1995, but the odds have drifted slightly in recent weeks.
4.Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
In the 2024–25 season, Gianluigi Donnarumma kept 12 clean sheets and helped Paris Saint-Germain secure both the Ligue 1 title and the Trophée des Champions.
While it’s been 62 years since Lev Yashin became the only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d’Or, elite shot-stoppers continue to earn recognition—and in 2025, Donnarumma has emerged as the standout among them. His heroics in the Champions League knockout stages have firmly placed him in the spotlight.
The Italian international was the difference-maker in a dramatic penalty shootout win over Liverpool at Anfield in the Round of 16, before producing a string of key saves to deny Aston Villa’s spirited comeback attempt in the quarterfinals. He then delivered two more top-class performances against Arsenal in the semis. If PSG can go on to complete a historic treble, Donnarumma will undoubtedly be one of the main architects of their success.
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3.Raphinha (Barcelona)
In the 2024–25 season, Raphinha has delivered a career-best campaign, racking up 37 goals and 25 assists while helping Barcelona lift both the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
While some doubted his place in the team at the start of the season—especially with Barcelona pursuing a move for Nico Williams—the Brazilian winger has silenced critics in emphatic fashion. Emerging as the most decisive player in Barca’s dynamic front three, Raphinha has been central to their domestic success and near-treble push.
He is undoubtedly playing the finest football of his career, showcasing not just flair but consistency and end product. However, Barcelona’s exit in the Champions League semi-finals may have slightly dented his Ballon d’Or chances, even if his name remains firmly in the conversation.
2.Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
In the 2024–25 season, Lamine Yamal has continued his meteoric rise, recording 16 goals and 25 assists while helping Barcelona claim both the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
No player has ever won the Ballon d’Or before turning 21, but with three full seasons ahead of him, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Yamal were the one to rewrite that history. At just 17, the Barcelona prodigy is already being hailed as the most exciting talent in world football—and his performances this season have only reinforced that belief.
While he’s been outscored by two of his teammates, many across Spain still view Yamal as La Liga’s most electrifying attacker this campaign. His Champions League performances, particularly a sensational display against Inter in the semi-finals, have elevated his case even further. At this point, he may well be Barcelona’s leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
1.Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
In the 2024–25 season, Ousmane Dembélé has hit new heights, scoring 35 goals and providing 12 assists to help Paris Saint-Germain secure both the Ligue 1 title and the Trophée des Champions.
After years of inconsistency and injury setbacks, many questioned whether Dembélé would ever truly fulfill his potential. But in his second season at PSG, the French winger has finally found his rhythm, emerging as one of the team’s most influential players and a driving force behind their domestic dominance.
PSG’s long-awaited Champions League breakthrough is now within reach, with Dembélé playing a key role in their knockout-stage triumphs over Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal—netting crucial goals at both Anfield and the Emirates. Almost unexpectedly, Luis Enrique’s side has become the team to beat in Europe, and their resurgent star is leading the charge.
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