The 2025 Ballon d’Or field feels unusually open. Last year’s winner Rodri is sidelined long‑term, and without a summer mega‑tournament to tilt ballots, voters will weigh season‑long club impact, end‑stage decisiveness, and trophy haul. The recently completed FIFA Club World Cup further scrambled perception of who truly delivered when the lights were brightest. Here’s where the race stands.
20. Bradley Barcola (PSG) – 23 goals, 21 assists, Coupe de France final brace; part of a trophy clean sweep, though benched in some defining Champions League nights.
19. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) – 22 goals, 24 assists and a lively Club World Cup; drove value in debut season and helped reclaim the Bundesliga.
18. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) – 24 goals, 20 assists and two continental trophies, yet an uneven run‑in and muted Club World Cup dampen top‑tier momentum.
17. João Neves (PSG) – Seven goals, 10 assists, big Champions League moments; red card in the Club World Cup final lingers.
16. Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – Astonishing volume: 63 goals, 16 assists, domestic double; raw numbers force voters to look his way.
15. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) – 19 clean sheets and clutch knockout saves; narrative “big‑game keeper” case if goalkeeper votes consolidate.
14. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 44 goals, 5 assists, domestic treble renaissance at 36; longevity bonus but European ceiling question.
13. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – Club World Cup Golden Ball calibre impact; 18 goals, 14 assists, match‑winning creativity on global stage.
12. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 48 goals, 14 assists, first major club title; relentless output keeps him in striking distance.
11. Pedri (Barcelona) – Midfield control, 7 goals, 10 assists, treble platform; influence outweighs raw stats.
10. Nuno Mendes (PSG) – Lockdown defending plus 7 goals, 12 assists across a multi‑trophy season; two‑way full‑back buzz.
9. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG/Napoli) – Split‑club spark, 15 goals, 13 assists, titles in France and Italy; highlight‑reel factor helps.
8. Achraf Hakimi (PSG) – 13 goals, 17 assists from right‑back, 26 clean sheets contributed; durability and end product huge.
7. Désiré Doué (PSG) – 16 goals, 16 assists and stepped up in finals; breakout storyline voters love.
6. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 46 goals, 7 assists; star power intact though late‑season slide hurts.
5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Premier League title catalyst; 36 goals, 24 assists sustain an MVP‑style claim.
4. Raphinha (Barcelona) – 39 goals, 25 assists driving a domestic treble; decisive winger case.
3. Vitinha (PSG) – Midfield metronome across every trophy table; 8 goals, 8 assists plus intangible control.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – At 18, 21 goals, 26 assists, treble winner; generational‑talent narrative surging.
1. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) – 37 goals, 16 assists, tide‑turning Champions League knockouts; health plus headline moments make him the frontrunner.
