The Ballon d’Or has always been a mirror to football’s soul. It reflects not just statistics and silverware, but the seasons that shaped the game, the players who defined them, and the stories that unfolded along the way.
For years, it was a straightforward picture. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were the constants, the immovable pillars at the top. Every season’s debate seemed to come back to the same two names.
Now, those days belong to the archives.
The modern Ballon d’Or race is a wide-open road with new faces, fresh rivalries, and a rotating cast of frontrunners. What was once a battle between two men has transformed into a contest with six, seven, sometimes even ten legitimate contenders.
The 2024 edition signaled this changing of the guard in the clearest way possible. Rodri, a player celebrated for his control and calm in midfield, claimed the award ahead of Vinicius Jr. That result alone would have been enough to stir discussion, but the shock deepened when Real Madrid staged a dramatic boycott of the ceremony in protest.
Rodri’s moment in the sun, however, was fleeting. A serious knee injury in September meant he would miss the heart of the 2024-25 campaign. Without him, the race opened up, and the chase for the Golden Ball became unpredictable.
The season came with an added twist; there was no major international tournament to tip the scales. Every goal, every pass, every decisive touch in club football carried more weight. The domestic grind and continental pressure became the proving grounds for greatness.
Now that the official shortlist was out yesterday, the contenders are clear. Within minutes, football fans around the world were arguing over their picks, dissecting performances, and drawing up their top threes.
The names on it reflect different types of reasons, from relentless goal scorers to defensive anchors, from breakthrough talents to established leaders. The following 10 players are the ones most likely to hear their name called when the golden trophy is lifted in Paris.
- 10. Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain
- 9. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain
- 8. Désiré Doué – Paris Saint-Germain
- 7. Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain
- 6. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
- 5. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
- 4. Raphinha – Barcelona
- 3. Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain
- 2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
- 1. Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain
10. Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain
- 2024–25: Seven goals, 12 assists, 18 clean sheets
- Trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, UEFA Nations League
Nuno Mendes has been a rising star for a while, but this season turned potential into dominance.
His defensive work was crucial during PSG’s Champions League campaign, particularly his performance against Mohamed Salah in the last 16, where he not only nullified the Liverpool forward but also contributed going forward.
In the quarter finals against Aston Villa, Mendes scored in both legs, underlining his attacking threat. Then came the semi-final battle with Bukayo Saka, which he handled with maturity and discipline.
His crowning moment arrived in the Nations League final, where he scored and assisted against Spain, capping off a season of decisive performances in the biggest games.
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9. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain
- 2024–25: 15 goals, 13 assists
- Trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, Serie A, Coupe de France
The Georgian winger’s numbers do not tell the whole story. Kvaratskhelia was electric whenever he took the ball to defenders, bringing unpredictability to PSG’s left side.
Winning two league titles in the same season, one with Napoli before his move and one with PSG, speaks to his impact across different systems and leagues.
His highlight came in the Champions League quarter finals, where his solo goal against Aston Villa lit up the Parc des Princes. Even without staggering statistics, his influence in PSG’s European success has been impossible to ignore.
8. Désiré Doué – Paris Saint-Germain
- 2024–25: 16 goals, 16 assists
- Trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions
A teenager with the poise of a seasoned pro. Doué did not start every match, but when he did, his presence was felt immediately. His Champions League knockout performances earned him a starting role in the final, where he delivered a display to remember.
The week before, he provided two assists in the Coupe de France final, showing that he thrives when the stage is brightest. For a player in his first season at PSG, this was a breakout year of the highest order.
7. Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain
- 2024–25: 13 goals, 17 assists, 26 clean sheets
- Trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions
Hakimi has been among the world’s best right-backs for years, but this season felt like a peak. His blend of defensive solidity and attacking drive made him a constant threat.
What makes his case for the Ballon d’Or so strong is his habit of showing up in the moments that matter.
He scored in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final of the Champions League, an extraordinary feat for a defender. His leadership and consistency make him one of PSG’s most indispensable players.
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6. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
- 2024–25: 46 goals, seven assists
- Trophies: UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup
Mbappé’s first year at Real Madrid was not the fairy tale he envisioned. There were moments of brilliance, none more so than his hat trick against Manchester City in February, but Madrid’s season fell apart in its final stretch.
Losing the Champions League to Arsenal, the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona, and the league title to their rivals left Mbappé’s trophy cabinet lighter than expected.
For a player who has made no secret of his desire to win the Ballon d’Or, this season will feel like a missed opportunity.
5. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
- 2024–25: 36 goals, 24 assists
- Trophies: Premier League
Under new manager Arne Slot, Salah was revitalised. His numbers were extraordinary, and he led Liverpool to a dominant Premier League title win.
But the Ballon d’Or is about more than domestic success. Liverpool’s shock Champions League last 16 exit, coupled with a quiet performance in the Carabao Cup final loss, took the shine off what had been a golden campaign. While he remains Africa’s biggest hope for the award, this year may not be the one.
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4. Raphinha – Barcelona
- 2024–25: 39 goals, 25 assists
- Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España
A year ago, Raphinha’s future at Barcelona looked uncertain. This season, he became their most decisive forward. The Brazilian’s combination of work rate, directness, and finishing helped lead Barcelona to a domestic treble.
His partnership with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski tore through defences, but as brilliant as he was, the competition for the Ballon d’Or is fierce. Despite a career-best season, the award may still be out of reach.
3. Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain
- 2024–25: Eight goals, eight assists
- Trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, UEFA Nations League
Vitinha’s game is built on control and intelligence. This season, he became PSG’s midfield heartbeat. Whether recycling possession, breaking lines, or dictating tempo, he gave the team its structure.
After lifting the treble with PSG, he added the Nations League title with Portugal. His performances drew comparisons to the great playmakers of the past, and his consistency for the year makes him one of the most deserving names in this list.
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2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
- 2024–25: 21 goals, 26 assists
- Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España
At 18, Yamal has already achieved what many players spend a career chasing. His creativity and confidence set him apart. Every game feels like a stage he was born to perform on, and his Champions League semi-final display against Inter was pure magic.
He may not have been Barcelona’s top scorer, but his all-around play was unmatched. If he continues on this path, the Ballon d’Or will come sooner rather than later, and perhaps much sooner than anyone imagined.
1. Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain
- 2024–25: 37 goals, 16 assists
- Trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions
After years of frustration and inconsistency, Dembélé finally delivered the season his talent has always promised. He became a constant threat in PSG’s attack, scoring and creating in equal measure.
His Champions League performances defined his year. Goals at Anfield and the Emirates helped carry PSG to the final, where his two assists sealed victory.
While the Club World Cup ended on a quieter note, no player combined team success and individual output as effectively in 2025.
If the award is given to the player who most shaped the year at the highest level, then Dembélé’s name will be read out in Paris. This was the year the world saw the best version of him.
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The Ballon d’Or race in 2025 reflects football’s changing landscape. There is no longer one figure towering over the rest, no inevitable winner. Instead, it is a gathering of elite players whose seasons have been shaped by key moments, a goal in a semi-final, a defensive stand in a final, a trophy lift under the brightest lights.
When the votes are counted, the margins will be slim.
Some careers will have their defining year recognised, others will fall just short. But the beauty of this year’s race lies in its unpredictability, its openness, and the reminder that football always finds new heroes when the old ones step aside.
