Ballon d’Or 2025: Analyzing the Top Male and Female Contenders

Sports News » Ballon d’Or 2025: Analyzing the Top Male and Female Contenders

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Preview Ballon d’Or 2025: Analyzing the Top Male and Female Contenders

The highly anticipated shortlist for the Ballon d`Or is set to be revealed this Thursday, identifying the elite footballers vying for one of the most prestigious awards in the sport.

The majority of these accolades, with the exception of the Kopa Trophy, are determined by a panel comprising 100 distinguished journalists from leading football nations worldwide. This exclusive group rotates annually, and this year, our publication is not among them. Nevertheless, that won`t deter us from offering our own comprehensive analysis and predictions.

Before delving into our selections, it`s important to outline our methodology, which mirrors that of the official voters. We will present a top ten for both the men`s and women`s Ballon d`Or, a top three for the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), a top two for Coach of the Year, and our choices for Club of the Year. As neither of us has won a Ballon d`Or ourselves, we will refrain from commenting on the Kopa Trophy. Our assessments are based on achievements during the 2024-25 season, specifically from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. This timeframe means events like the Women`s Euros are central to our evaluation, as is the Club World Cup, though the latter`s contentious merit means it`s not the sole determinant of a player`s standing.

For those who have followed our recent analyses, our top contender for the men`s Ballon d`Or will come as no surprise. Mohamed Salah`s position as a front-runner has, to say the least, sparked considerable debate. Despite not securing the Champions League, the Egyptian forward`s most impactful contributions occurred early in the season, paving the way for Liverpool`s dominant league title run, a feat few anticipated. Ultimately, his remarkable campaign of 34 goals and 23 assists is undeniable, especially when he equaled Premier League records previously set in longer, 42-game seasons.

In terms of sheer statistical output, Barcelona`s Raphinha is a close rival, concluding the 2024-25 season with achievements that few could have foreseen. Though he may have played more matches, the Brazilian winger nonetheless matched Cristiano Ronaldo`s formidable record of 21 goal contributions in a single Champions League season—a benchmark many believed to be unattainable. As La Liga`s top performer, Raphinha would be a deserving recipient, but there`s a possibility that the rising star of Lamine Yamal could divide the Barcelona-affiliated votes.

Interestingly, none of the players mentioned above are the bookmakers` clear favorite. Betting heavily on Ousmane Dembele, the standout player in Paris Saint-Germain`s Champions League victory, would yield significant returns, suggesting he`s an underdog. For many, ultimately, it is the trophies and medals that carry the most weight.

It will be fascinating to observe if this emphasis on silverware also influences the voting for the women`s Ballon d`Or. Aitana Bonmati is still the favorite, and it`s challenging to argue against her or Alexia Putellas being considered the world`s best. However, during the most critical matches of the season, these Barcelona teammates faced defeat. This raises the question: should an English player from Arsenal, such as Alessia Russo or Leah Williamson, be crowned the world`s best due to their performances in the Champions League and Euros finals?

There is no singular correct answer to this dilemma, which is precisely what makes the Ballon d`Or debate so compelling, yet often contentious and at times even absurd. Football is, after all, a team sport. So, does the premier individual player represent the one who contributed most to the most successful team, or simply the one with the highest individual output? It`s a question akin to choosing between the 2017 versions of Russell Westbrook or Kawhi Leonard in basketball. The decision is inherently more artistic than scientific, but a choice must be made. Our moment to decide has arrived, and here are our votes for the 2025 Ballon d`Or awards:

Men`s nominations by James Benge; Women`s nominations by Pardeep Cattry.