10 Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
11 goals, 15 assists, 21 clean sheets. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.
The PSG star right-back has been a consistently high performer for half a decade across his spells at Borussia Dortmund and Inter, and he looks to be getting even better.
9 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2024-25: 14 goals, 11 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Serie A & Coupe de France.
The Georgia winger contributed towards two different title triumphs, for PSG and Napoli, while playing a key role for the French side en route to them winning the Champions League.
Most notable among his electric moments was his superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-final,s which would have also caught the attention of Ballon d’Or voters, and a second Golden Ball nomination as well.
Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2024-25: 15 goals, 16 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.
Doue wasn’t always a guaranteed starter for PSG and never wasted a minute. That resulted in the summer signing from Rennes enjoying a debut campaign to remember, capped by his performances in the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Doue is already showing himself to be the man for the big occasion.
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2024-25: Seven goals, 12 assists, 13 clean sheets. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions & UEFA Nations League.
Nuno Mendes’ talent has been evident for a few years now, but the part he played in PSG’s Champions League run seemed to elevate the Portugal international to new heights among fans around the world.
6 Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2024-25: Seven goals, six assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions & UEFA Nations League.
After being something of a surprise inclusion on last year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, it would now be a shock if Vitinha were to miss out on a place among the nominees in 2025 after a masterful campaign in PSG’s midfield.
His impressive displays as Portugal won the Nationsl League in June was also a factor.
5 Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
In 2024-25: 45 goals, seven assists. Won UEFA Super Cup & Intercontinental Cup.
It’s no secret that Mbappe craves the Ballon d’Or given its standing in his home country, but he will likely have to make do with just the European Golden Shoe this time around.
4 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
In 2024-25: 36 goals, 24 assists. Won the Premier League.
Having been the overwhelming favourite for most of this Ballon d’Or campaign, Salah’s hopes were damaged by Liverpool’s shock last-16 elimination in the Champions League. The 32-year-old could still yet become Africa’s first Golden Ball winner since 1995, but the odds on him doing so in 2025 have lengthened massively.
3 Raphinha (Barcelona)
In 2024-25: 39 goals, 25 assists. Won La Liga, Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana. There is no doubt that Raphinha is playing the best football of his career right now – but will that be enough to win him the Ballon d’Or?
2 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
In 2024-25: 21 goals, 26 assists. Won La Liga, Copa del Rey & Supercopa de Espana.
No player has won the Ballon d’Or before their 21st birthday in the almost-70 years of the award, but right now it would be a shock if Yamal didn’t break that record, given he has another three seasons to get there!
1 Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2024-25: 35 goals, 15 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.
PSG’s dreams of finally winning the Champions League also came true thanks, in part, to Dembele’s strikes at Anfield and the Emirates in the knockouts, as well as his two assists in the final. No player has had a more productive 2025 from either an individual or team perspective, and that is why he should now be considered the Ballon d’Or-elect.
