The countdown is officially on for the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, set for Monday, September 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
This year promises to be one of the most competitive editions in recent memory, with data-driven power rankings spotlighting the top five stars most likely to lift football’s most prestigious individual award.
While fans and pundits continue to debate, many believe the Golden Ball could remain in Paris following PSG’s treble-winning season.
Here are the top five contenders for the Ballon d’Or 2025, ranked by Zonal Sports:
1️⃣ Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
Ousmane Dembélé tops the list after a career-defining campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. Once written off as “injury-prone,” the French winger silenced critics by scoring 21 league goals, leading PSG to a historic treble — Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
In the Champions League final, Dembélé was sensational, providing two assists in PSG’s 5–0 victory over Inter Milan. He finished the tournament with 14 goal involvements, while his Ligue 1 record — a goal every 73 minutes — was unmatched across Europe.
If crowned, Dembélé would become the first Frenchman since 1998 (Zidane) to win the Ballon d’Or.
2️⃣ Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 18 years old, Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has taken the football world by storm. Central to Barça’s domestic treble, the youngster contributed 9 goals and 13 assists in La Liga while dazzling in Europe.
His stunning solo strike against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final went viral, and he became the youngest scorer ever in a UCL semi-final. Yamal also led Europe in completed dribbles, sparking debate about whether he could become the first teenage Ballon d’Or winner.
3️⃣ Raphinha (Barcelona)
Brazilian winger Raphinha was just as instrumental in Barcelona’s dominance. He scored 18 goals and 9 assists in La Liga and made history by topping both the goals and assists charts in the Champions League — an unprecedented achievement.
His match-winning displays in El Clásico and the UCL knockout stages strengthened his case as a genuine challenger to Dembélé.
4️⃣ Vitinha (PSG)
While Dembélé grabbed headlines, PSG’s midfield heartbeat Vitinha quietly built his case as one of Europe’s finest playmakers. He posted an astonishing 95% passing accuracy in the Champions League and was pivotal in decisive matches against Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Though his tally of six goals and two assists seems modest, Vitinha’s tactical control and consistency played a major role in PSG’s treble run.
5️⃣ Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah continues to deliver at the highest level. The Egyptian forward scored 29 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League, firing the Reds to the league title.
His numbers drew comparisons to Lionel Messi at his peak, but a quiet Champions League campaign slightly dented his chances. Even so, Salah remains firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
⚽ The Big Question
With Dembélé, Yamal, Raphinha, Vitinha, and Salah leading the rankings, the stage is set for a dramatic night in Paris. Will PSG’s treble dominance crown Dembélé, or will Barcelona’s young guns steal the spotlight?
The football world will have its answer on September 22, 2025.
