Ballon d’Or Ranking 2025: Mbappé Leaps to Second Behind Salah
The race for football’s most prestigious individual award is heating up, and the 2025 Ballon d’Or battle is unlike anything we’ve seen before! With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo out of the picture and last year’s winner, Rodri, sidelined due to injury, the door is wide open for a new king to take the throne.
Mohamed Salah is currently leading the charge, but Kylian Mbappé is hot on his heels. With jaw-dropping performances, clutch goals, and unforgettable moments, these stars are making this year’s competition one for the history books.
Let’s dive into the top 10 rankings for the 2025 Ballon d’Or and see who’s got the best shot at football glory!
10. Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona & Poland): Even at 36, Lewandowski is still putting defenders in a blender! With 33 goals this season, 20 of them in La Liga, he’s proving age is just a number. His heroics in El Clásico, where he netted three times across two matches, remind us why he’s still in the mix.
9. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich & Germany) They call him “Bambi,” but there’s nothing soft about his game. Musiala, at just 22, is dazzling defenders with slick dribbles, sharp vision, and ice-cold finishing. With 16 goals and seven assists this season, he’s making a serious statement.
8. Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid & Brazil) Vini was this close to winning it last year, finishing second behind Rodri. But this season, while his 17 goals and 10 assists are solid, they might not be enough. Still, his star power alone keeps him in the conversation. A big finish could change everything.
7. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands) Liverpool’s rock at the back is playing like a man on a mission. With his speed, strength, and leadership, Van Dijk has been a nightmare for strikers. But let’s be real—defenders rarely win the Ballon d’Or. Can he break the curse?
6. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England) Bellingham is running the show in Madrid, proving he’s the complete package. With 11 goals and 11 assists in 35 games, he’s carrying both club and country on his back. If Madrid bags some silverware, he’s got a real shot.
5. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England) Kane has always been a goal machine, but his trophy cabinet has been kinda… empty. That might change this season! With 21 goals in 21 Bundesliga games, he’s driving Bayern towards another title. If he lifts the Champions League, he could jump even higher.
4. Raphinha (FC Barcelona & Brazil): Who saw this coming? Raphinha has taken his game to another level under Hansi Flick. With 24 goals and 18 assists, he’s Barcelona’s secret weapon. His Champions League hat trick against Bayern? Absolutely filthy.
3. Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona & Spain) At just 17, Yamal is making grown men look silly on the pitch. With 11 goals and 17 assists, he’s playing a crucial role in Barça’s title chase. He even bagged the Young Player of the Tournament award at the Euros. The kid is special.
2. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid & France) Mbappé had a rough start at Madrid, but boy, did he bounce back! With 28 goals (and counting), he’s on the verge of smashing records. If he adds some major trophies to the mix, he might leap to No. 1.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt) Salah is playing like a man possessed! With 30 goals and 22 assists, he’s been the heartbeat of Liverpool’s Premier League charge. He’s been snubbed before, but this time? There’s no ignoring the Egyptian King.
