Updated Ballon d'Or 2025 ranking after the Club World Cup

The action in the United States reshuffled the deck. Some stars rose, others bowed out. The race for the most prestigious award in world football is entering the final stretch… and there's already a clear frontrunner.

With the 2025 Club World Cup in the books, the battle for the Ballon d’Or has entered its decisive phase. The performances on U.S. soil didn’t just crown new champions—they also shook up the list of favorites. Some players took full advantage of the global spotlight. Others fell off the radar. And now, more than ever, the race seems to have a clear leader.

Top 5 contenders

Ousmane Dembélé
The Paris Saint-Germain star remains the top favorite. He led a team that won the Champions League and reached the Club World Cup final. With 33 goals and 15 assists this season, he's firmly at the top of the voting.
Lamine Yamal
The FC Barcelona prodigy was one of the year's biggest revelations, but his absence from the Club World Cup hurt his chances down the stretch. Still, his flair, vision, and maturity keep him in the mix.
Raphinha
A key figure in Barça’s title-winning campaign. His goals, assists, and attacking presence earned him a spot on the podium. But like Yamal, he missed out on the final international showcase of the season.
Mohamed Salah
With fading hopes, the Egyptian remains on the radar thanks to a brilliant season in the Premier League. However, his limited international impact could weigh against him in the final vote.
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé took the biggest hit. His move to Real Madrid hinted at a global coronation, but losing to his former club in the Club World Cup derailed his campaign. Not even a Champions League hat-trick could save his bid.

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When and where is the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony?

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on September 22 at the prestigious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the same venue where football legends have been crowned in the past.

Is the winner already locked in?

All signs point to Ousmane Dembélé breaking the usual dominance and taking home the Ballon d'Or. If he does, he’ll become just the fourth player not named Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award in the last 17 years—joining Modric, Benzema, and Rodri. This one smells like destiny.