Ballon d’Or 2025: The Leading Contenders for Football’s Greatest Individual Prize
The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris will once again become the centre of the footballing world on Monday night, as the Ballon d’Or crowns the best male and female players on the planet for their performances last season.
With 30 names on the shortlist, the field is packed with stars, but a handful of frontrunners have emerged as genuine favourites to lift the prestigious golden ball.
Ousmane Dembélé – PSG’s Crown Jewel
No player had a bigger impact on European football last season than Ousmane Dembélé. The 28-year-old was the heartbeat of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic treble, firing his club to their first-ever Champions League triumph.
With 35 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, Dembélé combined flair with end product, earning Ligue 1’s Player of the Year and the Champions League’s Player of the Season.
His two assists in the final demolition of Inter Milan summed up a campaign of brilliance. For many, he is the man to beat.
Harry Kane – Finally a Champion
After years of near misses, Harry Kane finally got his hands on silverware. The England captain powered Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals.
Across the season, Kane struck 41 times in 51 games and added 12 assists, his most prolific return yet. His September scoring blitz–10 goals in 11 days–will be remembered as one of the most remarkable runs in modern football. If the judges value consistency and leadership, Kane has a strong case.
Kylian Mbappé – Madrid’s New Galáctico
Kylian Mbappé’s long-awaited move to Real Madrid brought fresh expectations, and he delivered in style. His 44 goals in 59 games included 31 in La Liga, making him the league’s top scorer and a constant tormentor of defences.
A hat-trick against Barcelona and another against Manchester City in Europe confirmed his big-game pedigree. He also passed the 50-goal milestone for France.
Mbappé’s ability to light up the biggest stages keeps him firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Mohamed Salah – Still the King at Anfield
At 33, Mohamed Salah proved age is just a number. The Egyptian maestro guided Liverpool to a 20th English league title, producing a staggering 29 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League alone. That gave him 47 goal involvements — equalling the record for a 38-game season.
His fourth Golden Boot drew him level with Thierry Henry, cementing his legacy. While PSG’s European glory may overshadow Liverpool’s domestic dominance, Salah’s numbers make him impossible to ignore.
Raphinha – Barcelona’s Driving Force
Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign had many heroes, but Raphinha was arguably the standout.
The Brazilian notched 34 goals and 22 assists, including 13 goals in the Champions League to finish as joint-top scorer.
Named La Liga’s Player of the Season, Raphinha’s consistency across multiple competitions gives him an outside but compelling shot at the prize.
Lamine Yamal – The Prodigy
At just 18, Lamine Yamal was central to Barcelona’s success, registering 18 goals and 21 assists in 55 games. His dazzling runs and decisive moments, including a Nations League semi-final double for Spain, saw him named in both the La Liga and Champions League Teams of the Season.
While his youth may count against him in terms of winning, his nomination alone signals that the future belongs to him.
Who Will Win?
The statistics suggest a tight race. Dembélé’s Champions League-winning exploits make him the bookies’ favourite, but Kane’s long-awaited triumph, Mbappé’s La Liga dominance, and Salah’s record-breaking Premier League season all offer compelling narratives. Raphinha and Yamal, meanwhile, underline Barcelona’s resurgence.
As the spotlight falls on Paris tonight, one thing is certain: whoever lifts the golden ball will have written their name into football history after an unforgettable season.