Ballon d’Or 2025 – Full Rankings and Season Review

🏆 Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025

The 2025 Ballon d’Or crowned Ousmane Dembélé as the best player in the world, after a historic season where Paris Saint-Germain finally lifted their first ever Champions League. This year’s rankings were filled with surprises, new stars breaking through, and some of the usual suspects maintaining their place among football’s elite.

Here’s a look at the top 30 and how their 2024/25 seasons shaped their finish.

🥇 1. Ousmane Dembélé – PSG & France

Dembélé delivered the most complete season of his career. He scored freely in Ligue 1, created goals with his trademark dribbling and passing, and was unplayable in the Champions League knockout stages. His decisive performances helped PSG achieve the treble, and he also shone at international level with France. Winning the Champions League for the first time cemented his case as Ballon d’Or winner.

🥈 2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona & Spain

At just 18 years old, Yamal had a season that would be remarkable for any player, let alone a teenager. He provided double figures in both goals and assists in La Liga, guided Barcelona to the domestic title, and carried Spain with maturity beyond his years. His flair and consistency made him the youngest ever runner-up in Ballon d’Or history.

🥉 3. Vitinha – PSG & Portugal

Vitinha was the heartbeat of PSG’s midfield. His balance of work rate, control, and creativity made him vital in their Champions League run. Often overshadowed by more glamorous teammates in previous seasons, 2024/25 was his breakout as a world-class midfielder, earning him a deserved place on the podium.

4. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool & Egypt

Salah continued to define consistency. He carried Liverpool’s attack all season, scoring and assisting in big Premier League moments, and proving again why he is one of the best forwards of his generation. Even without European glory, his personal output kept him high in the rankings.

5. Raphinha – Barcelona & Brazil

Raphinha’s relentless wing play was key to Barcelona’s success. He matched Yamal’s creativity on the opposite flank and came up with crucial goals in La Liga. His ability to stretch defenses and produce in high-pressure matches earned him a top-five finish.

6. Achraf Hakimi – PSG & Morocco

The best full-back in the world this season. Hakimi’s overlapping runs, defensive work, and knack for stepping up in big moments made him irreplaceable for PSG. His performances in the Champions League, both defensively and going forward, put him comfortably in the top 10.

7. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid & France

Now at Real Madrid, Mbappé had an individually strong year, scoring heavily in La Liga and Europe. But his side fell short in both the Champions League and league title races, which pushed him down the order. Still, his consistency as one of the world’s top attackers remains unquestioned.

8. Cole Palmer – Chelsea & England

Palmer was one of the breakout stars of world football. He dominated Chelsea’s attack, scoring regularly in the Premier League and carrying them in tough spells. His calmness in front of goal and creativity in midfield earned him a historic top-10 finish for an English player.

9. Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG & Italy

The Italian giant was rock solid in goal, producing match-winning saves throughout PSG’s treble season. His shot-stopping in the Champions League final was particularly memorable. Goalkeepers rarely make it this high, but Donnarumma’s year demanded recognition.

10. Nuno Mendes – PSG & Portugal

Another PSG star breaking into the top 10. Mendes was electric at left-back, combining defensive solidity with explosive runs forward. At just 23, he’s now regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world.

11–20 Rankings

11. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal & England
Saka carried Arsenal’s attack, scoring and assisting relentlessly. Arsenal pushed City and Liverpool in the league, and Saka’s influence made him their talisman.

12. Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich & Germany
The silky playmaker lit up the Bundesliga with his dribbling and vision. Although Bayern had a transitional year, Musiala’s individual brilliance kept them competitive.

13. Rodri – Manchester City & Spain
Still the metronome of Pep Guardiola’s midfield. His dominance in possession and big-game presence made him one of the highest-ranked defensive midfielders.

14. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich & England
Kane scored heavily in Germany and Europe. While Bayern missed out on major trophies, his consistent goal-scoring kept him among the elite.

15. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid & England
Bellingham’s second season in Spain was another strong one, with goals from midfield and leadership qualities shining. However, lack of silverware saw him slip out of the top 10.

16. Bernardo Silva – Manchester City & Portugal
The midfield magician was crucial in City’s possession game. His versatility and big-game nous kept him high in the standings.

17. Antoine Griezmann – Atlético Madrid & France
The ever-reliable Griezmann combined experience and class. He led Atlético to another strong La Liga campaign with goals and creativity.

18. Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan & Argentina
The Inter captain was once again Serie A’s most reliable striker, guiding his side to another domestic title challenge.

19. Rafael Leão – AC Milan & Portugal
Milan’s star wide man had another explosive season, scoring and assisting in Serie A. His flair and ability to decide matches kept him in the top 20.

20. Phil Foden – Manchester City & England
Foden’s creative spark for City kept them competitive in the Premier League title race. His goals from midfield proved crucial.

21–30 Rankings

21. Pedri – Barcelona & Spain
Barcelona’s midfield brain, back from injury, orchestrated play with maturity and vision.

22. Erling Haaland – Manchester City & Norway
A dip compared to last year, but still scored heavily. Injuries and City’s European disappointment pushed him down the list.

23. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City & Belgium
The veteran playmaker remained world-class but suffered with injuries, keeping him outside the top 20.

24. Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal & Norway
Captain fantastic for Arsenal, dictating midfield tempo and chipping in with goals.

25. Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid & Brazil
Still electric on the left wing, but inconsistent in big matches meant he finished lower than expected.

26. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli & Georgia
Napoli’s flair player provided moments of brilliance but couldn’t replicate last year’s heights.

27. Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona & Netherlands
A key cog in Barça’s midfield, reliable in possession and pressing.

28. Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City & Croatia
Rock-solid in defence, and even contributed goals from the back.

29. Randal Kolo Muani – PSG & France
Rotated often, but contributed key goals in PSG’s treble run.

30. Bernardo Folorunsho – Lazio & Italy
The surprise name in the list. His midfield dominance in Serie A earned him recognition among the top 30.

🏆 Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 – Top 10

🥇 1. Aitana Bonmatí – Barcelona & Spain

Bonmatí defended her crown in style. She orchestrated Barcelona’s midfield, guiding them to another Champions League and Liga F win. Her passing range, control, and ability to dictate the rhythm of games kept her at the pinnacle of the women’s game.

🥈 2. Kadidiatou Diani – Lyon & France

The French forward had a sensational campaign, scoring heavily in both Division 1 Féminine and the Champions League. Her pace and clinical finishing pushed Lyon back to the summit of European football.

🥉 3. Sam Kerr – Chelsea & Australia

Despite injury setbacks, Kerr still made her presence felt with big goals in the WSL and Champions League. Her leadership and consistency ensured Chelsea dominated domestically.

4. Caroline Graham Hansen – Barcelona & Norway

The Norwegian winger was once again electric, creating chances and scoring vital goals. Her partnership with Bonmatí and the rest of Barça’s frontline was devastating.

5. Alexia Putellas – Barcelona & Spain

Returning to full fitness, Putellas showed flashes of her Ballon d’Or-winning brilliance. She contributed important goals and assists in Barça’s European run and cemented her place among the world’s elite.

6. Mary Earps – Manchester United & England

The goalkeeper had another world-class year, pulling off spectacular saves in the WSL and international tournaments. Her shot-stopping and command of the box kept United competitive.

7. Lena Oberdorf – Bayern Munich & Germany

Oberdorf was the standout defensive midfielder in Europe. Her energy, tackling, and passing made her the engine of Bayern’s midfield.

8. Sophia Smith – Portland Thorns & USA

One of the brightest young stars in the women’s game. Smith scored consistently in the NWSL and became a leader for the USWNT in their rebuild.

9. Patri Guijarro – Barcelona & Spain

Another Barça midfielder in the top 10. Guijarro’s work rate and intelligence balanced Bonmatí’s attacking flair, making her indispensable in big games.

10. Linda Caicedo – Real Madrid & Colombia

The Colombian teenager continued her meteoric rise. With her dribbling, pace, and eye for goal, she was Madrid’s most exciting player and one of the faces of the future.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Ballon d’Or was historic for both the men’s and women’s games. For PSG, it marked their long-awaited breakthrough in Europe, with Dembélé finally fulfilling his immense promise. For Barcelona, it was proof of their dynasty in women’s football, with Bonmatí once again leading the way.

The men’s list highlighted the new wave of talent — Lamine Yamal, Cole Palmer, and Nuno Mendes all breaking into the elite. The women’s rankings showed the balance of established superstars like Kerr and Putellas with emerging brilliance from Caicedo and Smith.

This year felt like a generational crossroads — a moment where legends reminded us of their quality, and the future of football made itself impossible to ignore.