Rodri's season-ending injury means he won't be defending the trophy he won in 2024 - so who are the main contenders to succeed the S...
Rodri's season-ending injury means he won't be defending the trophy he won in 2024 - so who are the main contenders to succeed the Spaniard?
If you thought the days of the Ballon d'Or generating headlines were over after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's era of dominance came to an end, then think again. After one of the most closely-fought races for a number of years, Rodri came out on top in 2024, beating Vinicius Jr into second place as Real Madrid dramatically boycotted the ceremony in Paris in protest at their star player missing out.
The 2024-25 season doesn't have the same international tournaments as its two predecessors, and so the destination of the Ballon d'Or will be decided solely by club performances. That opens it up to all sorts of individuals who might not share the same success with their countries as others, while there is also the prospect of the new-look Club World Cup to consider.
So, who are the favourites for the most prestigious individual prize in world football? As always, GOAL is here every step of the way to track the contenders and the pretenders with our Ballon d'Or Power Rankings - check out who is in contention...
Previous update: May 1. Players dropped out: Bukayo Saka.
20Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain) ⬇️
In 2024-25: 13 goals, 12 assists. Won Ligue 1 & Trophee des Champions.
In truth, this spot could easily go to Bradley Barcola, who has also shone for PSG a they go chasing a treble after already securing the Ligue 1 title. Doue, however, is now producing iconic moments in the Champions League knockout rounds while Barcola - who does have better goal contribution numbers across the season - mostly watches on from the bench.
As such, the former Rennes teenager gets the nod here, and if he can maintain his current form through to the end of the campaign, then a first Ballon d'Or nomination is certainly within his reach.
Getty Images Sport19Declan Rice (Arsenal) ⬇️
In 2024-25: 10 goals, 13 assists.
Ahead of Arsenal's meeting with Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, it felt as if Declan Rice was having a solid if unspectacular season at the heart of the Gunners midfield. But after his remarkable free-kick brace in the first leg, coupled with his dominant performance in the return fixture to complete the elimination of the defending European champions, the England man's campaign is being looked at in a whole different light.
It's no secret that Ballon d'Or voters prioritise performances in the biggest games when filling in their ballots, and so despite Rice being set to finish the season without a trophy, his performances in Europe may well earn him a nomination.
Getty Images18Denzel Dumfries (Inter) ⬆️
In 2024-25: 13 goals, seven assists.
Ballon d'Or voters are a fickle bunch, and so while Dumfries' name likely wasn't anywhere close to being on a ballot before the Champions League semi-finals kicked-off, the Inter wing-back's performances against Barcelona, where he scored twice and provided three assists from wing-back, will undoubtedly have catapulted him into the consciousnesses of those who decide the destination of the Golden Ball.
In fairness, Dumfries has enjoyed an excellent season from an attacking point of view, as his goal total suggests, and if he can lead Inter to European glory on May 31, he will likely lock himself in as a Ballon d'Or nominee.
17Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) 🆕
In 2024-25: Eight goals, 15 assists, 18 clean sheets. Won Ligue 1 & 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'd be difficult to look past Achraf Hakimi were a World XI being selected. 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, he scored key goals in both the Champions League quarter- and semi-finals for Luis Enrique's side, meaning he should have caught the eye of enough Ballon d'Or voters to earn a place on the shortlist.
AFP16Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP) ↔️
In 2024-25: 61 goals, 15 assists.
An absolute revelation since arriving in Lisbon from Coventry City in the summer of 2023, it feels like Gyokeres' hat-trick to down Manchester City in the Champions League back in October was his true breakout moment, with the Sweden striker's goal-scoring exploits now receiving the global headlines they deserve.
Perhaps inevitably, Sporting initially stumbled after losing manager Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, but have got themselves back on track and could end the campaign with a league-cup double in Portugal. Gyokeres has maintained his ridiculous scoring rate throughout, and if he can reach 70 goals for club and country before the campaign is out, he should be assured of a Ballon d'Or nomination.
Getty Images15Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) ⬇️
In 2024-25: 22 goals, 16 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 been attempting 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 thus far, and even getting back to his best in the final weeks of the season might not be enough to save Madrid from missing out on the three trophies they crave the most.
AFP14Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) ⬇️
In 2024-25: 14 goals, 17 assists. Won UEFA Super Cup & Intercontinental Cup.
After his remarkable debut season at Real Madrid, it was perhaps inevitable that Bellingham would take a backward step in 2024-25. And certainly in terms of his goal-scoring, the England midfielder struggled to hit the same heights during the opening months of the campaign as he got used to a new role following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
Bellingham has seemed to have figured out how he can best contribute for Los Blancos in more recent times, and started to produce in the final third while also providing the tenacious work-rate that sets him apart from some of the world's other top players. However, after finishing third in 2024, another Ballon d'Or push now looks beyond the 21-year-old following Madrid's April to forget.
Getty Images Sport13Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) ⬆️
In 2024-25: Seven goals, five assists. Won Ligue 1 & Trophee des Champions.
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 among the nominees in 2025 after a masterful campaign in PSG's midfield.
The ex-Wolves loanee has been the beating heart of Luis Enrique's much-improved side, and having proven their Champions League credentials by knocking out Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on the way to reaching the final, the Ligue 1 champions could yet end the season by claiming a treble. Just don't mention that penalty in the semi-final second leg...
Getty Images Sport12Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain) ⬇️
In 2024-25: Six goals, 10 assists, 11 clean sheets. Won Ligue 1 & Trophee des Champions.
Nuno Mendes' talent has been evident for a few years now, but the part he has played in PSG's run to the semi-finals of the Champions League seems to have elevated 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 each leg 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 a key role in the only goal of the first leg for the Parisiens.
AFP11Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain) ⬆️
In 2024-25: 11 goals, 11 assists. Won Ligue 1.
Kvaratskhelia's goal and assist numbers don't quite match the level of his play at times this season, but having entered the final month of the campaign, the Georgian winger stands on the cusp of contributing towards two different title triumphs, for PSG and Napoli, while playing a key role for the French side to go on and win 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, and a second Golden Ball nomination is certainly within Kvaratskhelia's grasp now.
AFP10Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) ⬇️
In 2024-25: 42 goals, five assists. Won 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.
Age has shown signs of catching up with the veteran at times, while there are undeniably more thrilling players to watch in his own team, never mind among Barca's rivals, but Lewandowski still set himself up to be back in the Ballon d'Or reckoning with his fine campaign. However, any realistic hopes he had of finally getting his hands on the award were ruined by a hamstring injury that saw him play a mere bit-part role in the Blaugrana's epic Champions League semi-final loss to Inter.
AFP9Lautaro Martinez (Inter) ⬆️
In 2024-25: 25 goals, eight assists.
Just over a fortnight ago, Inter were on course for a treble after reaching both the Champions League and Coppa Italia semi-finals while sitting atop Serie A. However, after three successive defeats, the Nerazzuri are now trailing Napoli in the battle for the Scudetto while they were knocked out of the Coppa by their hated rivals AC Milan.
Lautaro Martinez, then, needed to show his best form to ensure Simone Inzaghi's side don't end the season trophy-less. However, after being forced off at half-time in the first leg of Inter's European clash with Barcelona, it seemed that the Argentine's season could even be over. On the contrary, he returned to action just six days later and played a key role in Simone Inzaghi's side reaching their second Champions League final in three seasons, meaning Lautaro could very well add to his growing trophy cabinet before the campaign is over.
AFP8Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) ⬆️
In 2024-25: 36 goals, five 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 the Bernabeu.
However, things have begun to spiral out of control for both Mbappe and Madrid as the season enters its final weeks. 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 is also slipping away for Los Blancos as Barca pull clear ahead of the season's final Clasico on Sunday.
It's no secret that Mbappe craves the Ballon d'Or given its standing in his home country, but there it seems that he has now blown a big opportunity to lift the Golden Ball in 2025.
Getty Images Sport7Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) ⬆️
In 2024-25: 41 goals, 12 assists. Won Bundesliga.
It's finally happened: Harry Kane has won a trophy! The England captain yet again showed his goal-scoring instincts remain at a high level despite having turned 31 over the summer as he fired Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title, allowing him to celebrate the long-awaited first silverware of his career.
Rodri's 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 catch the voters' eyes, even after a disappointing Champions League quarter-final defeat to Inter.
Getty Images Sport6Pedri (Barcelona) ⬇️
In 2024-25: Six goals, eight assists. Won Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.
His goal and assist numbers don't jump off the page, but anyone who has watched Barcelona this season will wax lyrical about the levels that Pedri has been displaying for Hansi Flick's side. Seemingly injury-free for the first time in years, the Spain star is finally returning 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 after his star turn in the Copa del Rey final.
Barcelona's Champions League semi-final exit has likely put a cap on just how high up the final rankings Pedri can now finish, but it would not be a shock if there was a Golden Ball in his future at some stage.
Getty Images Sport5Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) ↔️
In 2024-25: 36 goals, 24 assists. Won Premier League.
Speculation over Salah's future has finally been put to bed after he signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool, and few can argue that it is not well deserved. 'The Egyptian King' has 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 this 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 32-year-old could still yet become Africa's first Golden Ball winner since 1995, but the odds on him doing so in 2025 have lengthened somewhat.
Getty Images Sport4Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain) ⬆️
In 2024-25: 12 clean sheets. Won Ligue 1 & 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 has separated himself from the pack in 2025 thanks to his outstanding performances 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 if the French champions go on to complete a treble, their Italian goalkeeper will have played a major role.
AFP3Raphinha (Barcelona) ↔️
In 2024-25: 37 goals, 25 assists. Won Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.
There were those who argued against it early on, but it's been clear for much of the campaign that Raphinha is 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 has shrugged that off to lead the Blaugrana to the cusp of 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? It's slightly less likely now after Barca's semi-final Champions League exit.
AFP2Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) ↔️
In 2024-25: 16 goals, 25 assists. Won Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.
No player has won the Ballon d'Or before their 21st birthday in the almost-70 years of the award, 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 has shown already in 2024-25, is only going to get better and better.
He is being outscored by two of his team-mates in Catalunya, but plenty of La Liga watchers will tell you that the 17-year-old has been the most impressive attacking player in Spain thus far this campaign. Coupled with his Champions League showings, which reached outrageous new heights against Inter in the semi-finals, and he might now be the top Golden Ball candidate within the Barca dressing room.
Getty Images1Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain) ↔️
In 2024-25: 35 goals, 12 assists. Won Ligue 1 & Trophee des Champions.
Has 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. Now, though, Dembele has found a groove during his second season at PSG, with his performances helping the French champions continue their stranglehold of Ligue 1.
Their dreams of finally winning the Champions League, meanwhile, are very within touching distance after knocking out Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal thanks, in part, to Dembele's strikes at Anfield and the Emirates. Out of almost nowhere, Luis Enrique's side look like the best in Europe, led by their flying frontman.
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