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, 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 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 18 goals in all competitions and has arguably been one of Arsenal’s best players once again.

18

Denzel Dumfries

Inter Milan and Netherlands

Denzel Dumfries may have rocketed up the Ballon d’Or rankings based off his Champions League semi-final display against Barcelona alone.

Over the two legs, the attacking wing-back scored two goals and provided three assists in Inter Milan’s 7-6 triumph to book their spot in Munich. In total, Dumfries has impressed in 2024/25, contributing to 16 goals in total as Inter also look to win the Serie A title.

17

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.

16

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 could round off the campaign by winning both the Liga Portugal and Taca de Portugal.

15

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 set to miss 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 more than 35 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, though, winning the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

14

Nicolo Barella

Inter Milan and Italy

Nicolo Barella can do it all in midfield for Inter Milan, and his displays in 2024/25 have been superb, especially in the Champions League with the Serie A side knocking out Bayern Munich and Barcelona en route to the final.

The Italian has been labelled a player ‘capable of blending physicality and finesse, style and substance’ and could find himself back in the top 30 after placing 27th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

13

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

PSG and Georgia

Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made the move to Paris Saint-Germain in January and has gone on to help the French giants win the Ligue 1 title and reach the Champions League final.

The first half of the 2024/25 season saw Kvaratskhelia star for Napoli before his big money move to France, so the Georgia icon could be in line to receive two league winners medals which would surely help him in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

12

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 40 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 and Supercopa de Espana. A likely La Liga title is also on the way, however, Lewandowski missed most of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final with Inter Milan through injury.

11

Alessandro Bastoni

Inter Milan and Italy

Now seen as the joint most-valuable defender in the world alongside William Saliba, Alessandro Bastoni has starred in 2024/25 for Inter Milan.

A ball-playing defender who is also dominant in the air, Bastoni could end up lifting the Champions League. The Italian is “one of the main reasons” Inter have impressed in Europe under Simone Inzaghi so may end up as the highest placed centre-back.