Last year marked a historic shift in the Ballon d’Or race, with neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo nominated for the first time since 2003.
In their absence, Manchester City’s Rodri claimed his first title, edging out Vinícius Jr.
As the 2025 ceremony nears, Messi and Ronaldo remain unlikely contenders, and with Rodri sidelined by injury, a new star is set to rise.
Here are the top 10 players in the Ballon d’Or ranking 2025 poised to claim football’s most prestigious individual honor, per Goal.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich & Germany)
Nicknamed “Bambi” for his youthful appearance, Jamal Musiala is anything but soft on the pitch. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has dazzled with his dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability.
With 16 goals and seven assists for Bayern this season, he’s well on track to surpass his career-best stats. His impact has also been felt on the international stage, playing a pivotal role in Germany’s undefeated UEFA Nations League campaign.
Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid & Brazil)
Vinícius Jr. came agonizingly close to winning the Ballon d’Or last season, finishing second to Rodri by just 51 points.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands)
Back to his dominant best, Virgil van Dijk has been a rock at the heart of Liverpool’s defense, steering them toward a potential Premier League triumph.
A commanding presence with speed and leadership qualities, Van Dijk has been instrumental in Liverpool’s success. However, history has shown that defenders rarely get their due in the Ballon d’Or race, making it an uphill battle for the Dutchman.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England)
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying Jude Bellingham’s influence on the game. The all-action midfielder has been a driving force for both Real Madrid and England this season.
With 11 goals and 11 assists in 35 appearances—despite occasionally playing out of position—Bellingham has proven himself to be the most complete midfielder in world football. If he can lead Madrid to silverware, his Ballon d’Or case will strengthen significantly.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)
Harry Kane has long been one of football’s elite forwards, but a lack of major trophies has kept him from serious Ballon d’Or contention. That could change this season.
Kane has netted 21 goals in 21 Bundesliga games, propelling Bayern toward another league title. With the Champions League also in sight, this could be the year the English striker finally gets the recognition he deserves.
Raphinha (FC Barcelona & Brazil)
Few would have predicted that Raphinha would emerge as La Liga’s best Brazilian winger this season, but his performances for Barcelona have been nothing short of phenomenal.
Under Hansi Flick’s guidance, the 28-year-old has evolved into a world-class attacker, tallying 24 goals and 18 assists. A stunning hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the Champions League further solidified his status as one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe.
Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona & Spain)
At just 17, Lamine Yamal has already achieved what many players dream of in a lifetime. With 11 goals and 17 assists this season, the teenage sensation has been a vital part of Barcelona’s title charge.
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid & France)
Kylian Mbappé had a slow start to his Real Madrid career, drawing premature criticism after failing to score in his first three league games. But he has since silenced his doubters.
With 28 goals so far, Mbappé is on track to break Iván Zamorano’s record for most goals in a debut season at Madrid. With multiple trophies still within reach, he remains one of the frontrunners for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
If Liverpool secures the Premier League title, there will be no denying Mohamed Salah’s claim to the Ballon d’Or.
At 32, Salah is enjoying perhaps the best season of his career, scoring 30 goals and registering 22 assists in all competitions. No player in Europe’s top five leagues has been more decisive.
Despite consistently delivering brilliance, Salah has often been overlooked for the Ballon d’Or. This year, however, his performances have been simply too outstanding to ignore.
