Ballon d’Or Power Rankings (2025)

The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in football and numerous legends of the game have picked up the honour since its creation in 1956. Voted for by an international jury of journalists, the winner will be announced on 22 September 2025 in Paris.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the award last year after a sensational season at the Etihad. But who is on course to become the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner following the 2024/25 season, as we enter an era without the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ranking factors

• Performances this season
• Honours
• Stats
• What others have said

2025 Ballon d’Or power rankings: in pictures

20

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid and England

Starting the countdown is Jude Bellingham, who, despite not lifting as much silverware in 2024/25, has been a top performer for Real Madrid once again.

The Englishman did pick up winners medals in the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup and is also into double figures for both goals and assists, but his wait to win the Ballon d’Or could go on.

19

Declan Rice

Arsenal and England

The Ballon d’Or rankings can sometimes be influenced by memorable moments, so Declan Rice’s two free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League could see him placed high up the list.

The England midfielder has been a regular under Mikel Arteta with the Gunners just running out of steam at the end of the campaign. Rice has contributed to 19 goals in all competitions and has arguably been one of Arsenal’s best players once again.

18

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool and Netherlands

One of the best centre-backs in the world over the past eight years since joining Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk actually didn’t place in the top 30 at last year’s Ballon d’Or.

However, the Dutch defender has helped Liverpool win the Premier League title with his usual dominance at the back, while also chipping in with some goals under Arne Slot.

17

Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting CP and Sweden

One of Europe’s best strikers around at this moment in time is Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting CP. After an outstanding first season in Portugal, Gyokeres has backed that up in 2024/25 with more than 50 goals in all competitions.

No player has scored more in Europe, and the Sweden international rounded off the campaign by winning both the Liga Portugal and Taca de Portugal.

16

Vinicius Jr

Real Madrid and Brazil

After finishing second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings and not turning up to the event, Vinicius Jr was looking to win the prestigious award in 2025.

However, with Real Madrid missing out on the La Liga title and also being knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, the Ballon d’Or almost certainly won’t be going to a Galactico.

Vinicius Jr has still contributed to 39 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions, though, winning the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

15

Nuno Mendes

PSG and Portugal

One of numeorus PSG players on the list following their Champions League triumph in Munich is Nuno Mendes. The left-back has played a starring role under Luis Enrique, even contributing to 12 goals, the best of his career to date.

Just as good defensively, Mendes was described as a “fighter plane” by Enrique and won the treble with the French giants, making 46 appearances in total.

14

Joao Neves

PSG and Portugal

Another PSG regular who has a chance of finishing in the top 20 is midfielder Joao Neves, who is starting to show why the French giants splashed the cash on his services in 2024.

His first full season at the Parc des Princes couln’t have gone better, playing rgeuarly and lifting all there was to be won in Paris. Neves was called crucial to PSG’s Champions League success due to his “immense physical commitment”.

13

Robert Lewandowski

Barcelona and Poland

At the age of 36, Robert Lewandowski has continued to score goals at the highest level, finding the back of the net on 42 occasions in 2024/25.

The Poland international has had some incredible attacking players around him under Hansi Flick and has won the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana and La Liga. However, Lewandowski missed most of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final with Inter Milan through injury.

12

Achraf Hakimi

PSG and Morocco

Scoring the opening goal in the Champions League final against his former employers Inter Milan, right-back Achraf Hakimi once again showed his class in the 2024/25 season, helping PSG to the treble.

An attacking full-back who is among the best in the world, Hakimi was even described as a “Formula 1 car” by Luis Enrique due to his speed going forward, and he’ll surely be in the top 20 for the award after finding the back of the net in some crucial games.

11

Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid and France

In his first season at the Bernabeu, Kylian Mbappe has continued to do what he does best, score goals. In fact, the Frenchman, after his hat-trick in El Clasico, scored more goals than any other Real Madrid player in their first season at the club.

In terms of honours, Mbappe has won the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup but missed out on La Liga to Barcelona.