The shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is witnessing ongoing shifts that highlight the fierce competition among football stars worldwide, as the award announcement approaches in November. The current rankings reflect the varying performances of players across domestic, continental, and international tournaments, with anticipation running high as decisive matches could change the race’s outcome in the final moments.
Leading the list is Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain, followed by Raphinha from Barcelona and Lautaro Martínez from Inter Milan. The young Spanish talent Lamine Yamal, only 16 years old, impressively holds fourth place after his standout performances for Barcelona and mature display that have won widespread admiration. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s star, occupies fifth place, maintaining his position among the best despite some decline in his team’s overall performance this season, delivering crucial moments in important matches that significantly impacted league and Champions League competitions.

The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football, with the voting process involving 100 journalists from the highest-ranked FIFA member countries. Player evaluations are based on strict criteria including individual and team performance, impact in major matches, sportsmanship, and character both on and off the pitch, making the award a true measure of excellence and distinction.

Full ranking of nominees:

1. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)

2. Raphinha (Barcelona)

3. Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)

4. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

6. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

7. Pedri (Barcelona)

8. Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)

9. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

10. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

11. Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid)

12. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)

13. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)

14. Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)

The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or remains wide open, with everyone eagerly watching each match and extraordinary individual performance that could tip the scales, making this season one of the most thrilling and competitive in the history of the award. Fans of Mohamed Salah hope their star continues to deliver strong performances, pushing him toward the podium for the second time in his career.