Here’s a polished blog-style breakdown of the top 10 Ballon d’Or contenders for 2025, based on recent power rankings, stats, and expert opinions.
🥇 Top 10 Ballon d’Or Contenders (2025)
1. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG & France)
Why he’s leading: Instrumental in PSG’s historic treble—including the UEFA Champions League—scored ~33–35 goals with ~12 assists
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Key moments: Big goals against Liverpool and Arsenal in Europe; praised by pundits like Emmanuel Petit .
2. Raphinha (Barcelona & Brazil)
Impact: Breakout season with ~34 goals and 22–25 assists, top scorer in Champions League
SI
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Khel Now
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Torizone
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Team success: Vital in Barça’s domestic treble
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Khel Now
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Goatkits Store
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3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain)
Young prodigy: Just 17, yet tallied ~18–19 goals and 25–26 assists
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Standout stats: Exceptional performances in both La Liga and Europe
SI
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Sporting News
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The Info Networks
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4. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG & Georgia)
Rising star: Scored ~12 goals and provided ~11 assists; key roles in Napoli and PSG domestic titles
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Khel Now
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5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
Consistent excellence: Notched ~32–36 goals and 22–24 assists; clinched Premier League title
FourFourTwo
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SI
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Setback: Early Champions League exit affected his momentum
The Sun
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Talksport
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FourFourTwo
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6. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
Ageless striker: Over 40 goals; led Barça’s attack in a golden season
SI
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The Info Networks
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Ladbrokes Sports Betting
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7. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG & Italy)
Goalkeeping star: Stellar Champions League performances with key saves and clean sheets (~12) .
Trophy path: PSG’s treble run boosts his case
Ladbrokes Sports Betting
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The Info Networks
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8. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)
Golden haul: Scored ~41–43 goals and 12–13 assists; Bundesliga winner
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Challenge: Deep Champions League exit dampens his chances
Talksport
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Pulse Ghana
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Goatkits Store
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9. Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan & Argentina)
Italy impact: Helped guide Inter to Serie A victory; key goals & assists in Europe
Ladbrokes Sports Betting
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Squads Game Blog
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Khel Now
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10. Achraf Hakimi (PSG & Morocco)
Versatile wing-back: ~9 goals and 14 assists; scored in the Champions League final
Pulse Ghana
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Goatkits Store
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Torizone
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📊 Contention Dynamics & Context
PSG’s dominance: Their treble run is driving multiple players—Dembélé, Hakimi, Donnarumma, Kvaratskhelia, and Doue—into contention
SI
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Goatkits Store
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Yen.com.gh - Ghana news.
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Barcelona’s resurgence: With Raphinha, Yamal, Lewandowski, Martínez, and Pedri (honorable mention as midfield genius) shining
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The Sun
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Other standout narratives:
Salah’s prolific season but European disappointment
Foot Africa
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Sportskeeda
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FourFourTwo
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Kane ends trophy drought, but Europe slip-up hurts .
Yamal’s youth and flair marking him as a generational talent .
📅 Ceremony & Award Context
Award Date: 22 September 2025, Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris
FourFourTwo
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Foot Africa
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Nominee shortlist: Final 30 revealed in early August .
Voting criteria: Club performances are the sole metric this year—no major international tournaments factored in
Talksport
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Sportskeeda
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🔮 Who Has the Edge?
Front-runners: Dembélé (PSG treble hero), Raphinha (Barcelona’s consistent spark)
Under-21 star: Yamal, though statistically outstanding, may still be edged out in favor of more seasoned leaders.
Hopeful surprises: Donnarumma and Kane, thanks to PSG’s run and Bundesliga titles, respectively.
📝 Final Take
The 2025 Ballon d’Or race is a thrilling clash of PSG’s trophy-laden dominance and Barcelona’s renaissance, punctuated by individual seasons of brilliance. While Dembélé and Raphinha hold the spotlight, Yamal’s youth and momentum make him one to watch. Expect a dramatic finish in September—with heartfelt performances, team success, and unforgettable moments setting the stage.
Top recent Ballon d’Or news
The Sun
Ballon d'Or 2025: PSG star favourite for award as French giants dominate top 10 and just one Premier League ace in mix
Jun 2, 2025
Talksport
Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: New favourite emerges to take on Kylian Mbappe as Mohamed Salah drops down pecking order
Apr 10, 2025
FourFourTwo
Ballon d'Or 2025 power rankings: New favourite emerges
Oct 30, 2024
Sources
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