Top 5 Contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or: Who Will Take the Crown?

The 2025 Ballon d’Or race Is filled with top talents who had unforgettable seasons. From Champions League glory to league dominance, these five players are leading the conversation. Let’s count down the top contenders for this year’s prestigious award.

5. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders don’t often get much attention in Ballon d’Or discussions, but Hakimi has been different this year. He played a key role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, standing out with strong performances in both defense and attack. In Ligue 1, he scored 4 Goals And provided 6 Assists, and was excellent in shutting down opposing attackers. In the Champions League, Hakimi has 5 Assist and four goals. He supported PSG’s clean-sheet wins with solid defending and overlapping runs. His speed and stamina helped shape PSG’s attacking width.

4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah continued to be Liverpool’s most consistent and dangerous player. In the Premier League, he finished with 29 goals and 18 assists, leading both categories. Although Liverpool didn’t win major silverware this season, Salah’s performance level stayed high. His ability to create and finish chances kept Liverpool in the title race for most of the season. His consistency earns him a deserved spot in the top five.

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal amazed fans and experts with his maturity and skill. In La Liga, he scored 9 Goals and added 13 assists, while in the Champions League, he contributed 5 Goals and 3 Assists. His creativity, vision, and fearless play made him one of Barcelona’s most important players in their title-winning season. He is already a global star, and this might be the first of many Ballon d’Or nominations.

2. Raphinha (Barcelona)

Raphinha had a dream season in Europe. He was the top scorer (13 goals) and top assist provider (9 assists) in the Champions League—a rare and incredible achievement. He also played a big part in Barcelona’s La Liga title win, often delivering in key moments. Raphinha also scored 18 goals in La Liga and has 9 assists on his name. If Barcelona had reached the Champions League final, he might have been the top favorite. Still, his stats and influence speak volumes.

1. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)

Ousmane Dembélé tops the list for good reason. He was the driving force behind PSG’s historic treble —winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League. He finished the season with 35 goals and 13 assists across all competitions. In the Champions League final, he provided 2 Assists in a dominant 5–0 win over Inter Milan. Ousmane Dembele also won the Ligue 1 Golden Boot with 21 goals this season. His explosive style and big-game performances make him the current favorite to win the Ballon d’Or.

Final Thoughts

The Ballon d’Or ceremony Is set for September 22, 2025, and the race is still open. While Dembélé leads the pack, Raphinha, Yamal, and others have strong cases. One thing is clear—this year’s award will go to a Truly deserving superstar.