The 2025 Ballon d’Or Race: Who’s Leading the Pack?

The 69th edition of the Ballon d’Or is edging closer, with the ceremony set for 22 September 2025 at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. It promises to be one of the most compelling races we’ve seen yet.

Top Contenders to Watch

• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
  The early favorite after a phenomenal season, tallying 33 goals and 15 assists from 49 appearances, plus a Champions League win. Consistently delivering in big games, he’s also clinched Ligue 1 Player of the Year.
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
  At 33, Salah continues to defy age, producing his best performances yet. Riding high on a Premier League title, he remains a strong Ballon d’Or contender.
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
  Just behind the top names, Raphinha powered Barcelona to a domestic double and became Champions League top scorer, ending the season with 34 goals and 17 assists.
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
  At only 17, Yamal is a generational talent. He’s already won the Kopa Trophy and starred in both Barcelona’s treble and Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph—earning a spot among the favourites in power rankings.x

A Changing of the Guard

With last year’s winner Rodri out through injury and the traditional duopoly of Messi and Ronaldo fading, the 2025 race is an open field. Expect intense debate and surprises as top performers battle it out.