Salah is no longer the favorite. Power Rankings – Top 10 contenders for the 2025 Ballon d'Or
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
Club football has taken a short break. In the coming week, we will witness national team matches in both the World Cup 2026 qualifiers and the UEFA Nations League.
A break is the perfect time to update our Power Rankings of the top 10 contenders for the Ballon d'Or.
10. Harry Kane (Bayern)
The English super striker has dropped in our rankings from 9th to 10th place. And there's a reason for that.
Kane's scoring stats this season are still impressive – 32 goals and 11 assists in 37 matches. However, the legendary striker's current form is not impressive at all. In the last 5 Bundesliga matches, Kane hasn't scored a single goal, marking his worst streak in the league. The last time Kane scored in the Bundesliga was on February 7th – a brace against Werder.
But in the Champions League, Kane's performance is significantly better. In the round of 16, he scored three times against Bayer, allowing Bayern to advance to the quarter-finals. Next up for Munich are matches against Inter.
It's clear that to win the Ballon d'Or, Kane needs to win a major trophy. And given Bayern's recent form, that's hard to believe.
9. Vitinha (PSG)
An entirely new name in our rankings! In 2024, Vitinha unexpectedly made it to the 30 candidates for the Ballon d'Or. The Portuguese ended up only 27th in the voting. But in 2025, things could be entirely different.
Last week, PSG shockingly knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League, and in the quarter-finals, they are clear favorites against Aston Villa.
Vitinha is a key figure in Luis Enrique's midfield. The Portuguese is effective not only in attack but also in defense. While in Ligue 1, Vitinha's skills might not be as noticeable due to the lower level of opposition, in the Champions League, he has fully showcased his abilities. We are confident that if PSG makes it to the Champions League final, Vitinha will be in the top 10 in the Ballon d'Or voting.
8. Marcus Thuram (Inter)
Another new name in our Power Rankings! But Inter and Marcus Thuram are literally forcing us to pay closer attention to them.
Simone Inzaghi's team is a dark horse in the Champions League. The Nerazzurri have conceded only 2 goals throughout the Champions League and have a strong chance of knocking out Bayern in the quarter-finals. Two seasons ago, Inter already played in the final and can quite possibly repeat that success. Furthermore, the Nerazzurri are leading in Serie A and have reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. They are one of the few teams in Europe still capable of achieving a treble.
Marcus Thuram is the main star of this Inter side. Lautaro Martinez is not having a standout season, while the French international has taken on the role of the attacking leader. In 37 matches, Thuram has scored 16 goals and provided 4 assists. But his contribution to the team extends beyond scoring. Thuram constantly works defensively and participates in most goal-scoring attacks.
7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Individual achievements are not enough to win the Ballon d'Or. Trophies are necessary. And in just a month, Liverpool lost 3 out of 4 possible titles. The Merseysiders were knocked out of the Champions League, lost the League Cup final to Newcastle, and were defeated by humble Plymouth in the FA Cup.
Yes, Liverpool will likely win the Premier League, and Salah will be named the league's best player of the season. Arne Slot's team would have to significantly falter to lose a 12-point lead.
Salah still boasts remarkable stats this season – 32 goals and 22 assists in 43 matches. But the team's results have dropped the Egyptian from 1st to 7th place. Additionally, it's worth noting that Liverpool won't play in the 2025 Club World Cup, which will weigh in the Ballon d'Or decision.
6. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
The legendary Polish striker has also fallen in our rankings – from 4th to 6th place.
Robert remains the top scorer in La Liga and Barcelona's main forward. However, his best performances this season were in 2024. After the New Year, the former Bayern striker has significantly declined, and in recent matches, other players have taken on leading roles in the team's attack. For instance, Lewandowski didn't score in the Champions League round of 16 matches against Benfica.
The final stretch of the season will be crucial for Lewandowski's prospects of winning the Ballon d'Or.
5. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Lamine Yamal's position in our rankings remains unchanged. The 17-year-old prodigy is having an incredible season, but it's still not enough to contend for the Ballon d'Or.
However, Lamine has everything except a sufficient number of goals. The La Masia graduate has scored only 6 goals in 24 La Liga matches, but he has recorded 11 assists. It's worth noting that Yamal doesn't score often, but in very important matches. For instance, he scored in both games in Madrid – against Real and Atletico.
Yamal is incredible, but right now it seems that for the Ballon d'Or, he needs to wait a little longer.
4. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
It feels like losing the 2024 Ballon d'Or was a huge blow for Vinicius. The Brazilian started the season strong, but after Rodri's victory in the voting, things went downhill.
In 2025, Vinicius has scored only 2 goals in La Liga, and those against opponents like Girona and Rayo Vallecano. Vinicius's crisis was confirmed in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atletico when he missed a penalty in regular time and was substituted before the penalty shootout.
However, we all know how Vinicius can handle criticism and come back, making a difference in key matches. If Real once again competes for all major titles, Vinicius will be back at the top of the Ballon d'Or voting. But for now, just fourth place.
3. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
An absolute newcomer to the rankings, and immediately in third place! But what Dembele is doing in 2025 is literally mind-blowing.
It's hard to understand what Luis Enrique has done with Dembele, but the Frenchman has become the player Barcelona hoped to see when they paid over 100 million euros for him. Dembele has stopped spending time in nightclubs, started taking care of his body, allowing him to avoid constant injuries.
But Dembele is especially incredible in 2025. In 17 matches this year, Ousmane has already scored 22 goals! And that's more than any other player in the top leagues. Also, add to this the fact that Dembele's goal essentially saved PSG in the clash against Liverpool.
Right now, PSG looks like the team genuinely contending for the Champions League victory. If the Parisians succeed in achieving their goal, Dembele will be the favorite for the Ballon d'Or.
2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
The French striker is progressing throughout the season and slowly climbing in our rankings.
Last fall, there were many questions about Mbappe's form and his interaction with other Real players. But now, Kylian is the team's top scorer, having scored more than the legendary Ronaldo in his first season in Madrid – 30 goals.
Mbappe is also seriously contending to become the top scorer in La Liga. He is just 2 goals behind Robert Lewandowski, the former PSG forward. If Real Madrid wins the Champions League, Mbappe will be the favorite from this team for the Ballon d'Or.
1. Raphinha (Barcelona)
“Raphinha is leading the race for the Ballon d'Or. He's in sensational form, scoring a large number of goals. He presses, defends, and helps in defense — all of which make him a complete player. Raphinha possesses all these qualities,” said Thierry Henry on CBS Sports after Liverpool's exit from the Champions League.
The Brazilian forward, whom Barcelona was ready to sell to Saudi Arabia last summer, has become the attacking leader of Hansi Flick's team. And Raphinha's stats are truly impressive – 27 goals and 21 assists in 42 matches.
But the most crucial aspect is that Raphinha is performing exceptionally in the main tournament – the UEFA Champions League. There, the former Leeds forward has 11 goals and 5 assists. Stats worthy of the Ballon d'Or. But major trophies are needed.
