Who will win Ballon d'Or 2025?
Your full round-up of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or in 2025.
Football may be a team sport, but the Ballon d'Or, its most prestigious individual honour, still means everything to the stars at the top of the game.
The award recognises the best player in the world across each calendar year, with an international committee of journalists voting based on individual performances and team achievements as well as class and fair play.
Rodri earned the 2024 crown after winning the Euros with Spain and helping Manchester City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
The 2025 edition will pit a slew of elite wingers against one another for the top honour, with PSG's main man set to enter the ceremony as favourite.
RadioTimes.com assesses the Ballon d'Or favourites in 2025.
Who will win Ballon d'Or 2025?
Ousmane Dembélé - PSG and France
Mbappé's exit has brought out the best in Ousmane Dembélé, who has always had the talent but is finally emerging as one of the world's most dangerous players.
Luis Enrique's decision to move him from the flanks to a central role has worked wonders, and the Frenchman has become lethal in front of goal, netting 29 goals and racking up 12 assists in just 33 starts and 11 sub appearances across Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Dembélé was central to PSG's hopes of ending their long wait for a Champions League trophy, and is one of the first names on Didier Deschamps's team sheet for France. He is the favourite to win the award.
Raphinha - Barcelona and Brazil
Barcelona are back to their brilliant best, and Raphinha has been a key part of the puzzle.
The Brazilian winger was near unplayable last term – going past defenders for fun in both La Liga and Europe to keep Hansi Flick's side in pursuit of the treble.
The 28-year-old recorded a stunning 13 goals and 8 assists in just 14 Champions League appearances last term.
Mohamed Salah - Liverpool and Egypt
Mohamed Salah enjoyed the best season of his Liverpool career in 2024/25 – and that is saying something.
The Egyptian King has aged like a fine wine and fired the Reds to the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season at the helm.
Though a last-16 exit from the Champions League has dampened his chances, Salah's incredible domestic record is enough to keep him among the contenders.
Lamine Yamal - Barcelona and Spain
Still just 18, Lamine Yamal has already risen to become one of the best players in world football.
A key factor in Barcelona reestablishing themselves as one of the top sides in Europe, Yamal's trophy cabinet already includes Euro 2024 and a La Liga title.
The Lionel Messi comparisons say it all, but the teenage winger is forging his own path. It feels like a matter of when and not if he follows in Messi's footsteps by winning the Ballon d'Or.
Kylian Mbappé - Real Madrid and France
Kylian Mbappé made his long-expected move from PSG to Real Madrid last summer and has had no problem finding the net in the Spanish capital.
Some players shrink in the Bernabeu pressure cooker, but the French forward continued to terrorise defences and netted 31 goals in 34 games during his debut season.
The 26-year-old is driving Los Blancos at the start of the 2025/26 campaign and could add more international silverware with France at the World Cup next year. He's likely to be next year's favourite already.
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Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
