Top 5 Ballon d’Or 2025 Candidates: Who’s Leading the Race?

The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious award a footballer can receive for his performance. Since the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the list of winners has become increasingly diverse, making it much more difficult to make predictions. 

While there is still a lot to happen in 2025, we can already point out some players who will be major contenders for this trophy. In this article, I’ve selected five players who have a chance to receive the ultimate prize.

5. Harry Kane

Harry Kane left Tottenham for trophies, but in his first year, Bayern did not win any. Nevertheless, the English forward scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga and became the top goalscorer.

The 2024/25 season is different, as Bayern are now first in the league while Kane continues to score goals. So far, he has already added 29 goals to his tally across all tournaments, and if the German side achieves success in the Champions League, I think Kane will be a major candidate for the Ballon d’Or trophy.

4. Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé left PSG for higher goals, and while his start in Real Madrid was somewhat sluggish, the French superstar is gradually finding his rhythm in Madrid. Mbappé now has accumulated 26 goals, and given his remarkable form, the French international seems unlikely to stop scoring. 

Despite playing as a centre forward which is not his ideal position, Mbappé’s speed and finishing skills are unmatched. I believe that if Real Madrid manage to be triumphant both in La Liga and the Champions League, Mbappé will be one of the top candidates for the award. 

3. Raphinha

If you were to tell me in 2023 that Raphina would be a contender for the Ballon d’Or in 2025, I might have thought you were joking. After arriving from Leeds, the Brazilian struggled in the squad, but under the new head coach Hansi Flick he was simply “reborn”. 

Now Raphinha is a key winger for Barcelona after scoring 22 goals and delivering 14 assists across all competitions. Despite the criticism and negative comments, he became even stronger, and who knows – if Barcelona claim the Champions League and the Brazilian continues his form, we can see another winner of Ballon d’Or from the Spanish club.

2. Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius did everything to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024. Some say that he was robbed and Rodri’s trophy was not deserved. Indeed, the Brazilian had a powerful 2023/24 campaign, but somehow it was not enough to clinch the award.

After he failed to win the Ballon d’Or, the Brazilian continued his results with two hattricks, including a comeback against Dortmund. He is probably the most talented footballer right now, but his antics and behaviour on the pitch are sometimes a bit too much.

1. Mohamed Salah

At age 32, Mohamed Salah does not show any signs of slowing down. He only gets better with each season, and under Arne Slot, his contribution grew immensely. Solely in the Premier League, the Egyptian has collected 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 matches!

Liverpool are out of the FA Cup, but they still compete in three tournaments. In the Premier League, they have a solid 11-point gap with the second-placed Arsenal and are favourites in the Champions League.

Salah is already one of the best players in the history of Liverpool and winning the Ballon d’Or will further cement his legacy. I think that if he continues this way and Liverpool end the season successfully, we’ll see the first African to win the trophy since George Weah.