Ballon d'Or 2025 Power Rankings: Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal the final front-runners to claim the Golden Ball after seasons to remember

In 2024-25: 16 goals, six assists. Won Serie A.

You'd have got outrageously long odds on McTominay becoming a Ballon d'Or nominee within 12 months of his Manchester United exit, but there was no more impactful player in Italian football last season than the Scotland international, who earned the Serie A MVP award after leading Napoli to just the fourth Scudetto in their history.

McTominay routinely popped up with crucial goals, especially during the title run-in, and proved to be a driving force for Antonio Conte's side in what turned into one of the most surprising - and instant - glow-ups in modern football history.

In 2024-25: 22 goals, 24 assists. Won Bundesliga.

Eyebrows were raised when Bayern Munich committed €60 million (£50.5m/$65m) towards buying Olise from Crystal Palace last summer, but any doubts over how he would handle the step up were very quickly put to bed. The France international emerged as the Bavarians' creator-in-chief while also chipping in with his fair share of goals despite the presence of Harry Kane.

Olise rounded out his campaign with some impressive displays at the Club World Cup, and at 23, he can only get better going forward.

In 2024-25: 24 goals, 20 assists. Won UEFA Super Cup & Intercontinental Cup.

Upon confirmation of his surprise second-placed finish in the 2024 Ballon d'Or, Vinicius swore that "the world wasn't ready" for what he hoped would become his revenge tour. The Brazilian clearly felt that he should have been up on stage with the Golden Ball rather than Rodri, and has attempted to stake his claim ever since.

Certainly, the Real Madrid winger looked in electric form during the first half of the campaign, and there might not be a forward anywhere in world football who can match Vinicius in full flow. However, 2025 has not been a great year for the former Flamengo wonderkid, and an underwhelming Club World Cup campaign means that even a top-10 finish in the Ballon d'Or voting is unlikely.

In 2024-25: Seven goals, 10 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions & UEFA Nations League.

One of the signings of the season, Joao Neves landed at PSG after his €60m move from Benfica and immediately looked at home at the heart of the Parisiens' midfield. The archetypal modern No.6, Neves is able to combine the physical side of the game with a classiness in possession that also allows him to contribute in the final third.

It was his goal that completed the vital comeback win against Manchester City that sparked PSG's triumphant Champions League run, but the 20-year-old's contribution to the treble win ran much deeper than that, even if his season ended with him seeing red in the Club World Cup final for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair.

In 2024-25: 63 goals, 16 assists. Won Liga Portugal & Taca de Portugal.

An absolute revelation after arriving at Sporting CP from Coventry City in the summer of 2023, Gyokeres' hat-trick to down Manchester City in the Champions League back in October was his true breakout moment, as the Sweden striker's goal-scoring exploits went on to earn the global headlines they deserved.

Perhaps inevitably, Sporting initially stumbled after losing manager Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, but got themselves back on track to secure a league-cup double in Portugal. Gyokeres maintained his ridiculous scoring rate throughout, and though he narrowly missed out on the European Golden Shoe, he rightly received a Ballon d'Or nomination to go with his big-money move to Arsenal.

In 2024-25: 19 clean sheets. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.

While it has now been 62 years since Lev Yashin became the first, and thus far only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or, there is always a place for the world's best shot-stoppers on the shortlist of nominees, and Donnarumma separated himself from the pack in 2025 thanks to his outstanding performances for former club Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League knockout rounds.

He was PSG's penalty-shootout hero at Anfield in the last 16 before pulling off some crucial saves against Aston Villa as the Premier League outfit threatened to come all the way back from being four goals down in the second leg. Donnarumma followed that up with two more superb showings against Arsenal, and while he had little to do in the final, a clean sheet capped a remarkable European campaign that convinced Pep Guardiola to take him off Luis Enrique's hands before the close of the summer transfer window. 

In 2024-25: 44 goals, five assists. Won La Liga, Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.

After Lewandowski missed out on the Ballon d'Or shortlist in 2024, it seemed like the Pole's long and, thus far, fruitless bid to pick up a Golden Ball was over. However, having been reunited with his former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick at Barcelona, the 36-year-old rolled back the years to become one of Europe's most potent No.9s once again in 2024-25.

Age still showed signs of catching up with the veteran at times, while there were undeniably more thrilling players to watch in his own team, never mind among Barca's rivals, but Lewandowski earned his Ballon d'Or nomination with a fine campaign.

In 2024-25: Seven goals, 10 assists. Won La Liga, Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.

His goal and assist numbers don't jump off the page, but anyone who watched Barcelona this season will wax lyrical about the levels that Pedri displayed for Hansi Flick's side. Seemingly injury-free for the first time in years, the Spain star finally returned on the potential he showed as a teenager before fitness issues caught up with him, with many now touting him as the world's best midfielder.

Barca's surprise Champions League semi-final loss to Inter likely put a cap on just how high up the final Ballon d'Or rankings Pedri will finish, but it would not be a shock if there was a Golden Ball in his future.

In 2024-25: 18 goals, 14 assists. Won Club World Cup & Conference League.

It proved to be a season of two halves for Palmer, as he kicked-off the campaign in the same form in which he had finished the previous one while leading Chelsea up to as high as second in the Premier League table. His output, however, took a steep downturn following the turn of the year, which coincided with the Blues also falling away in the title race before eventually recovering to finish fourth.

Anyone who doubted Palmer, however, was made to eat their words as he produced two sparkling performances in finals to see out the season, first in the Conference League and then at the Club World Cup, where his display against PSG was truly outstanding. A second Ballon d'Or nomination was inevitable after his masterclass at MetLife.

In 2024-25: 48 goals, 14 assists. Won Bundesliga.

It finally happened: Kane won a trophy! The ageing England captain yet again showed his goal-scoring instincts remain at a ridiculously high level as he fired Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title, allowing him to celebrate the long-awaited first silverware of his career.

Rodri's 2024 triumph highlighted that goals alone don't necessarily win players the Ballon d'Or anymore, but Kane certainly has the all-round game that should have caught the voters' eyes, even after disappointing quarter-final exits in the Champions League and Club World Cup.

In 2024-25: Seven goals, 12 assists, 18 clean sheets. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions & UEFA Nations League.

Nuno Mendes' talent has been evident for a few years now, but the part he played in PSG's Champions League run seemed to elevate the Portugal international to new heights among fans around the world. The ex-Sporting CP star earned plaudits for the way he shut down Mohamed Salah against Liverpool in the last 16 before scoring goals in both legs of the quarter-final victory over Aston Villa.

He faced another big test in the semis up against Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, but he again rose to the occasion while also playing an important role in the only goal of the first leg for the Parisiens. Perhaps the sternest examination of them all, however, came in the Nations League final against Spain and Lamine Yamal, only for Mendes to dominate their personal battle while scoring one goal and setting up another.

In 2024-25: 15 goals, 13 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Serie A & Coupe de France.

Kvaratskhelia's goal and assist numbers didn't quite match the level of his play during the 2024-25 season, but the Georgia winger contributed towards two different title triumphs, for PSG and Napoli, while playing a key role for the French side en route to them winning the Champions League.

Some electric moments in the European knockouts, most notably his superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, will have caught the attention of Ballon d'Or voters.

In 2024-25: 16 goals, 16 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.

Doue wasn't always a guaranteed starter for PSG, but whenever he got on the pitch, he made sure not to waste a minute. That resulted in the summer signing from Rennes enjoying a debut campaign to remember, capped by his scintillating performances in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

The teenager was trusted by Luis Enrique to start the majority of the games in the latter stages, and he repaid his manager's faith and then some by producing one of the great European final performances in Munich. Factor in that he provided two assists the previous week in the Coupe de France final, and Doue is already showing himself to be the man for the big occasion.

In 2024-25: 13 goals, 17 assists, 26 clean sheets. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.

Debates over who is the best right-back in world football throw up a whole host of contenders for the crown, but right now it's difficult to look past Achraf Hakimi. The PSG star has been a consistently high performer for half a decade across his spells at Borussia Dortmund and Inter, and he looks to be getting even better.

Strong defensively while providing a threat in attacking areas, Hakimi scored key goals in each of the Champions League quarter-finals, semi-finals and final for Luis Enrique's side, meaning the Morocco international should have impressed enough Ballon d'Or voters to earn a place in the top 10, at least.

In 2024-25: 46 goals, seven assists. Won UEFA Super Cup & Intercontinental Cup.

Mbappe may not have enjoyed the start to life at Real Madrid that he or the club's fans wanted, but he still scored his fair share of goals, and looked to have taken his game to another level after scoring a stunning hat-trick against Manchester City in February that was seen by many as a true announcement of his arrival at Santiago Bernabeu.

However, things began to spin out of control for Madrid in the season's final weeks, as they surrendered their Champions League crown in meek fashion against Arsenal, lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona (despite some Mbappe heroics, it must be said) and the Liga title also headed from the Bernabeu and back to Barca.

It's no secret that Mbappe craves the Ballon d'Or given its standing in his home country, but he will have to make do with just the European Golden Shoe when it comes to individual accolades this time around.

In 2024-25: 36 goals, 24 assists. Won Premier League.

Speculation over Salah's future was finally put to bed after he signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool last season, and few can argue that it was not well deserved. 'The Egyptian King' rediscovered his best form and then some under new coach Arne Slot, leading the Reds to secure the Premier League title at a canter.

However, having been the overwhelming favourite for most of the Ballon d'Or campaign, Salah's hopes were damaged by Liverpool's shock last-16 elimination in the Champions League, and his own no-show in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle a few days later. The 33-year-old could still yet become Africa's first Golden Ball winner since 1995, but the odds on him doing so in 2025 are slim at best.

In 2024-25: 39 goals, 25 assists. Won La Liga, Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.

There were those who argued against it early on, but it was clear for much of the campaign that Raphinha was the most decisive of Barcelona's electric front-three, and his raw goal and assist numbers certainly help back that up. The ex-Leeds United winger would likely have been sold last summer if Barca had managed to complete a deal to sign Nico Williams, but the Brazilian shrugged that off to lead the Blaugrana to a domestic treble.

There is no doubt that Raphinha is playing the best football of his career right now - but will that be enough to win him the Ballon d'Or? Probably not.

In 2024-25: Eight goals, eight assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions & UEFA Nations League.

After being something of a surprise inclusion on last year's Ballon d'Or shortlist, it would now be a shock if Vitinha were to miss out on a place within the top five in 2025 after a masterful campaign in PSG's midfield.

The ex-Wolves loanee was the beating heart of Luis Enrique's all-conquering side, and earned Xavi comparisons as the French giants completed their treble by winning the Champions League. He then backed that up with some impressive displays as Portugal won the Nations League in June and during PSG's run to the Club World Cup final.

In 2024-25: 21 goals, 26 assists. Won La Liga, Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.

No player has won the Ballon d'Or before their 21st birthday, but right now it would be a shock if Yamal didn't break that record given he has another three seasons to get there! There is presently no greater talent in the game than the Barcelona teenager, who, as he showed in 2024-25, is only going to get better and better.

He was outscored by two of his team-mates in Catalunya, but plenty of La Liga watchers will tell you that the 18-year-old was the most impressive attacking player in Spain. Coupled with his Champions League showings, which reached outrageous new heights against Inter in the semi-finals, he is now the top Golden Ball candidate within the Barca dressing room.

In 2024-25: 37 goals, 16 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.

Was this the season where the real Dembele finally arrived?! Ever since he left Borussia Dortmund for Barcelona, the France winger has frustrated fans more than he's delighted them, despite clearly being a player of rare ability. Since the turn of the year, though, Dembele found a groove at PSG, as his performances helped the French champions continue their stranglehold of Ligue 1.

Their dreams of finally winning the Champions League also came true thanks, in part, to Dembele's strikes at Anfield and the Emirates in the knockouts, as well as his two assists in the final. No player has had a more productive 2025 from either an individual or team perspective, and that is why he should now be considered the Ballon d'Or-elect, even after he failed to back up the goals he scored in the Club World Cup quarters and semis in the final itself.