Ballon d’Or May 2025 favourites revealed

The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is capturing the imaginations of football fans, as the latest betting lines show a tight race. The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is capturing the imaginations of football fans around the world, as the latest betting lines show a tight race.

As the season progresses, headlines and debates populate social media feeds around the prospect of who will win the award after incredible performances in domestic leagues, European competitions, and international tournaments have emerged.

It’s clear from the latest power rankings that both young budding stars and accomplished veterans, with a wide variety of players representing each club, show the depth and variety of global football, with Barcelona players earning their spot in the conversation.

Betting odds have shifted and changed based on the latest performances, goal contributions, and impacts on the pitch.

The intrigue of whether a young blue chip or an established icon is going to proudly lift the golden ball in 2025 has fans unable to look away.

First-line odds

First-line odds suggest that Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has the best odds at 28% for the young star.

The 18-year-old winger is known for his unrivaled pace and creativity and has made headlines by scoring 10 goals alongside 12 assists in La Liga and the Champions League.

Following Lamine Yamal was teammate Raphinha at 23% after scoring a staggering 20 goals and leading all players with 10 assists while exhibiting flair and composure throughout matches.

Pedri is one anchor, with a 9% chance, to midfield for Barcelona, which creates lots of opportunities for Yamal and Raphinha because of his vision and tireless work. Robert Lewandowski is 14/1 with 22 La Liga goals, and he proved he is still class. The full list, via @goal, is below:

1. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG, 16%)
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
3. Raphinha (Barcelona)
4. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, 10%)
6. Pedri (Barcelona)
7. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
8. Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
9. Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
10. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
12. Nuno Mendes (PSG)
13. Vitinha (PSG)
14. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
15. Vinicus Jr (Real Madrid)
16. Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting)
17. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
18. Denzel Dumfries (Inter)
19. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
20. Désiré Doué (PSG)

The Ballon d’Or

While it appears you have entered a new age of dominance for Barcelona, you have other players like Salah and Dembélé to contend with in the 2025 Ballon d’Or race to make it unforgettable.

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The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in football and numerous legends of the game have picked up the honour since its creation in 1956.

Voted for by an international jury of journalists, Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the award last year after a sensational season at the Etihad. But who is on course to become the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner as we enter an era without the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ranking factors

• Performances this season
• Honours
• Stats
• What others have said

2025 Ballon d’Or power rankings: in pictures

20Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid and England

Starting the countdown is Jude Bellingham, who, despite not lifting as much silverware in 2024/25, has been a top performer for Real Madrid once again.

The Englishman did pick up winners medals in the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup and is also into double figures for both goals and assists, but his wait to win the Ballon d’Or could go on.

19Declan Rice

Arsenal and England

The Ballon d’Or rankings can sometimes be influenced by memorable moments, so Declan Rice’s two free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League could see him placed high up the list.

The England midfielder has been a regular under Mikel Arteta with the Gunners just running out of steam at the end of the campaign. Rice has contributed to 18 goals in all competitions and has arguably been one of Arsenal’s best players once again.

18Denzel Dumfries

Inter Milan and Netherlands

Denzel Dumfries may have rocketed up the Ballon d’Or rankings based off his Champions League semi-final display against Barcelona alone.

Over the two legs, the attacking wing-back scored two goals and provided three assists in Inter Milan’s 7-6 triumph to book their spot in Munich. In total, Dumfries has impressed in 2024/25, contributing to 16 goals in total as Inter also look to win the Serie A title.

17Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool and Netherlands

One of the best centre-backs in the world over the past eight years since joining Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk actually didn’t place in the top 30 at last year’s Ballon d’Or.

However, the Dutch defender has helped Liverpool win the Premier League title with his usual dominance at the back, while also chipping in with some goals under Arne Slot.

16Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting CP and Sweden

One of Europe’s best strikers around at this moment in time is Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting CP. After an outstanding first season in Portugal, Gyokeres has backed that up in 2024/25 with more than 50 goals in all competitions.

No player has scored more in Europe, and the Sweden international could round off the campaign by winning both the Liga Portugal and Taca de Portugal.

15Vinicius Jr

Real Madrid and Brazil

After finishing second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings and not turning up to the event, Vinicius Jr was looking to win the prestigious award in 2025.

However, with Real Madrid set to miss out on the La Liga title and also being knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, the Ballon d’Or almost certainly won’t be going to a Galactico.

Vinicius Jr has still contributed to more than 35 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, though, winning the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

14Nicolo Barella

Inter Milan and Italy

Nicolo Barella can do it all in midfield for Inter Milan, and his displays in 2024/25 have been superb, especially in the Champions League with the Serie A side knocking out Bayern Munich and Barcelona en route to the final.