The 2024-25 men`s football season has just ended, prompting a final review of the top contenders for the prestigious Ballon d`Or award.
Little has changed since our previous assessment of football`s top individual talents, following Paris Saint-Germain`s Champions League victory. For those displeased with our last top six, this update might not offer much solace. However, one significant event has occurred: Chelsea secured the Club World Cup title at MetLife Stadium by defeating PSG, granting them global champion status for the next four years. Additionally, some international competitions, like Portugal`s Nations League win, provide fresh insights.
The true weight the Club World Cup will carry for Ballon d`Or voters remains uncertain. Had Ousmane Dembele been a more dominant figure in PSG`s victory, it might have significantly boosted his candidacy. However, it`s worth noting that several of Europe`s top clubs from last season – Barcelona, Liverpool, and Arsenal – did not participate in this tournament.
From this perspective, FIFA`s Club World Cup is considered less significant than the Champions League, though it`s not without value. Exceptional players from this competition will see a slight improvement in their rankings. Beyond that, PSG`s top performances, despite their loss in the Club World Cup final, reaffirmed the consistent quality of Luis Enrique`s team. The passionate feedback regarding the omission of some of their key players has been noted; while these power rankings are compiled by a single individual, external input is always considered.
Ballon d`Or 2025 Power Rankings:
Now, let`s delve into the rankings, including current odds:
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1. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool (+2500)
The assessment from six weeks ago holds true, and the Club World Cup events haven`t altered it. Mohamed Salah`s season, boasting 34 goals and 23 assists, mirrors the peak performances of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He delivered an extraordinary output in England`s demanding top flight, leading an underrated Liverpool side to a comfortable Premier League title. His earlier achievements in the season remain highly significant.
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2. Raphinha, Barcelona (+2500)
Raphinha`s odds seem surprisingly low given his 2024-25 achievements. He transitioned from a peripheral role at Barcelona to have a landmark individual Champions League campaign, while also consistently performing at the high level needed for their La Liga triumph.
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3. Ousmane Dembele, PSG (-500)
Could Ousmane Dembele have ascended to the top of our rankings based on his Club World Cup performance? It would have required truly exceptional displays, considering the tournament`s unproven elite status. Nevertheless, stellar showings against PSG`s challenging opponents could have shifted the balance in his favor. Unfortunately, injuries restricted Dembele`s playing time, limiting the 28-year-old to just three appearances before the final loss. His brilliant contributions, including extended playtime against Real Madrid and sparkling moments against Bayern Munich, showcased his talent. However, PSG`s overall performance, mirroring their Champions League journey, highlighted that while Dembele might be the top player in an excellent team, their strength lies in collective effort rather than individual brilliance.
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4. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG (+4000)
Secretly, I suspect this ranking might be slightly generous for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, despite his achievements of winning two top-five European league titles and a Champions League. His raw statistics didn`t quite match those of the forwards ranked higher and lower. Yet, his electrifying, inventive, and incredibly exciting play throughout the season, earning him the nickname `Kvaradona,` was unparalleled.
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5. Pedri, Barcelona (+5000)
For anyone who missed last season, here`s a summary of Pedri`s performance: He maintained his renowned brilliance in advancing the ball, but his game evolved to include formidable ball-winning abilities, solidifying his status as perhaps the most comprehensive midfielder in football today.
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6. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona (+400)
The most criticized decision last month was likely placing Lamine Yamal outside the top five, a choice that highlights the differing philosophies regarding the Ballon d`Or. One perspective argues that the award should go to the player who excelled in the most crucial matches, providing defining moments. By this measure, Yamal, who shone in the Champions League semifinals even in defeat and recently signed a new contract, had an outstanding season comparable to anyone except Dembele. While that Ballon d`Or perspective is valid, this column typically favors an aggregate view, and by that measure, Yamal hasn`t quite reached the heights of Salah, Raphinha, and Dembele. It appears to be only a matter of time before he does.
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7. Achraf Hakimi, PSG (+2800)
If the player ranked below him powers PSG`s elite performance, Achraf Hakimi represents the tireless dynamism, constantly covering ground without faltering. Hakimi was arguably his team`s top performer in the Club World Cup, delivering especially strong displays in victories against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, even without finding the net.
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8. Vitinha, PSG (+1000)
Vitinha also stood out at the Club World Cup, but his remarkable leap from 11th to eighth was truly propelled by his superb performance against Spain in the Nations League final. To appear as the best midfielder on the field when competing against talents like Pedri and Martin Zubimendi is remarkable, yet such high-level play has become standard for the Portuguese international.
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9. Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG (+5000)
Gianluigi Donnarumma`s initial omission sparked considerable criticism in my Instagram notifications; he likely merited a top 10 spot ahead of players like Harry Kane or even Virgil van Dijk. His initial absence can be explained by the general observation that elite goalkeepers often face fewer shots, making it challenging to objectively compare their season to a busy goalkeeper on a lower-ranked team. However, Donnarumma undeniably excelled in several of PSG`s most significant matches, proving his worth in crucial moments. This continued through most of the Club World Cup, where five saves helped the European champions overcome Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
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10. Cole Palmer, Chelsea (+2000)
Firstly, regarding the three players who dropped from the list: While Virgil van Dijk and Harry Kane were simply overtaken by others, Kylian Mbappe`s situation is particularly noteworthy. Despite scoring an impressive 44 goals in his first year at Real Madrid, his performance in the Club World Cup didn`t entirely dispel doubts about his overall impact on his new team. A stomach flu affected his form, and his showing against PSG raised some critical questions. In contrast, Cole Palmer was exceptional in Chelsea`s dominant 3-0 victory at MetLife Stadium. If the English international had sustained his domestic form throughout the latter half of the season, he would have appeared on this list even before the Club World Cup; nevertheless, the tournament served as a powerful testament to his growing brilliance.
Note: Player rankings and odds are reflective of the analysis provided at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
