Who Are the Contenders for the 2025 Men’s & Women’s Ballon d’Or Awards?
The Ballon d’Or awards represent the pinnacle of individual achievement in football, honoring the world’s most outstanding male and female players for their performances in the previous season. On Monday, at the glamorous Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, the winners of the 2025 men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or will be revealed, capping off a thrilling year of club and international action. From the 30 nominees unveiled last month, a select group of stars have emerged as frontrunners, blending prolific scoring, trophy hauls, and game-changing moments. In this analysis, we’ll dive into the stats and stories of six key contenders for each award, drawing on data from the 2024-25 club campaigns—across all competitions for men and league matches for women. Who will claim the golden ball? Let’s explore the top Ballon d’Or contenders and why they’re in the conversation.
Top Men’s Ballon d’Or Contenders
The men’s race is wide open, with players from Europe’s elite clubs dominating the shortlist. These athletes not only shattered personal records but also led their teams to glory, making them prime candidates for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Ousmane Dembélé: PSG’s Speedy Sensation
Ousmane Dembélé has been a revelation for Paris St-Germain, propelling the club to historic heights in the 2024-25 season. In 53 games, he logged 3,483 minutes, scoring 35 goals and providing 14 assists for a total of 49 goal contributions. That’s an impressive rate of a goal every 99.5 minutes and a contribution every 71.1 minutes.
Dembélé’s impact was felt across multiple fronts. He spearheaded PSG’s Ligue 1 triumph, netting 21 goals in 29 matches to share the top-scorer honors, earning him a spot in the division’s team of the season and the player of the year award. His European heroics were even more dazzling: as Champions League player of the season, he tallied eight goals and six assists, including two in the 5-0 final demolition of Inter Milan—PSG’s first-ever European crown. Dembélé didn’t stop there, scoring in the Club World Cup quarterfinal against Bayern Munich and semifinal versus Real Madrid, helping PSG reach the final. At 28, his blend of pace, precision, and clutch performances positions him as a leading Ballon d’Or contender.
Harry Kane: Bayern’s Goal Machine
England’s all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, finally tasted major silverware in 2024-25, making a compelling case for the Ballon d’Or. Across 51 appearances for Bayern Munich, he played 3,955 minutes, firing in 41 goals and 12 assists—53 goal contributions at a rate of one every 74.6 minutes.
Kane’s Bundesliga dominance was undeniable: 26 goals crowned him the league’s top scorer, featuring three hat-tricks en route to Bayern’s title. His hot streak in September was legendary—10 goals in 11 days, starting with a Nations League brace for England against Finland, followed by three in a 6-1 league rout of Holstein Kiel, four in a 9-2 Champions League thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb, and one in a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen. At 32, Kane’s clinical finishing and leadership have transformed him from perennial bridesmaid to Ballon d’Or favorite, especially after ending his trophy drought.
Kylian Mbappé: Real Madrid’s Prolific Phenom
Kylian Mbappé’s debut season in Spain was nothing short of spectacular, cementing his status among the elite Ballon d’Or contenders. In 59 games for Real Madrid, he accumulated 4,742 minutes, scoring 44 goals with five assists for 49 contributions—a goal every 107.7 minutes.
Mbappé topped La Liga’s scoring charts with 31 goals in 34 matches, outpacing Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski by four, highlighted by hat-tricks against Valladolid, Barcelona, and Manchester City in the Champions League playoffs. The 26-year-old Frenchman also hit a milestone for his national team, becoming just the third to reach 50 goals, achieved during France’s third-place Nations League finish. His explosive speed and lethal instincts have made him indispensable to Real Madrid, fueling dreams of a Ballon d’Or return.
Raphinha: Barcelona’s Brazilian Star
Raphinha’s resurgence at Barcelona has been electric, turning him into a Ballon d’Or dark horse. Over 57 matches and 4,661 minutes, he scored 34 goals and dished 22 assists, totaling 56 contributions at a clip of one every 83.2 minutes.
The 28-year-old Brazilian was pivotal in Barcelona’s treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España. His 18 goals and nine assists in La Liga earned him player of the season honors, while 13 Champions League strikes—joint-top in the competition—included a hat-trick in a 4-1 upset of Bayern Munich. Since joining from Leeds in 2022, Raphinha has evolved into a versatile attacker, blending creativity with ruthlessness, making his Ballon d’Or candidacy all the more credible.
Mohamed Salah: Liverpool’s Enduring Icon
Mohamed Salah remains a force of nature, driving Liverpool to Premier League glory and bolstering his Ballon d’Or credentials. In 52 games and 4,497 minutes, the Egyptian notched 34 goals and 23 assists—57 contributions, or one every 78.9 minutes.
Salah’s 29 league goals secured his fourth Golden Boot, tying Thierry Henry’s record, and his 47 Premier League involvements matched the single-season benchmark. Named player of the year for the second time, he was central to Liverpool’s 20th English title. Though Liverpool fell to PSG in the Champions League last 16, Salah’s three goals in the competition underscored his quality. At 33, his consistency and flair keep him firmly in the Ballon d’Or mix.
Lamine Yamal: The Teenage Prodigy
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, at just 18, is already a Ballon d’Or sensation. In 55 outings and 4,548 minutes, he contributed 18 goals and 21 assists—39 in total, every 116.6 minutes.
Yamal starred in Barcelona’s Spanish treble, winning La Liga’s player of the month in September and spots in the league and Champions League teams of the season. For Spain, his double in a 5-4 Nations League semifinal thriller against France highlighted his potential, despite a penalty-shootout final loss to Portugal. Yamal’s vision and dribbling mark him as a generational talent ripe for Ballon d’Or recognition.
The Best of the Rest for Men
Beyond the headlines, other nominees shine brightly. Scott McTominay, the first Scot since Ally McCoist in 1987, led Napoli to the Serie A title in his debut after a £25m move from Manchester United. Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Viktor Gyökeres join the fray, while Liverpool boasts Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah (already profiled), and Florian Wirtz. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer rounds out the Premier League hopes.
Top Women’s Ballon d’Or Contenders
The women’s Ballon d’Or is equally fiercely contested, with stars from Barcelona, Arsenal, and beyond vying for supremacy based on their 2024-25 exploits.
Aitana Bonmatí: Barcelona’s Midfield Maestro
Aitana Bonmatí could claim a third straight Ballon d’Or, a feat for the ages. In 26 league games and 1,913 minutes, she scored 12 goals with six assists—18 contributions, one every 106 minutes.
The Barcelona and Spain star overcame meningitis to shine in the Euros, scoring the semifinal winner against an unspecified opponent, though Spain fell to England in the final. Her all-around brilliance makes her a top Ballon d’Or contender, despite missing some major honors.
Alessia Russo: Arsenal’s Goal-Getting Hero
Alessia Russo’s 2024-25 was trophy-laden: Champions League with Arsenal and Euro 2025 with England. In 21 games and 1,686 minutes, she hit 12 goals and two assists—14 contributions, one every 120 minutes.
Russo scored in the Euros final and shared the Women’s Super League Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw. Named Football Writers’ Association women’s footballer of the year, her finishing and work rate make her a Ballon d’Or standout.
Alexia Putellas: The Resilient Captain
Alexia Putellas eyes a third Ballon d’Or after back-to-back wins in 2021-2022. In 24 matches and 1,620 minutes, she delivered 16 goals and 11 assists—27 contributions, one every 60 minutes.
Despite Barcelona’s Champions League miss and Spain’s Euro final loss to England, Putellas powered a domestic treble in Spain with her technical prowess and leadership. Her consistency keeps her in prime Ballon d’Or position.
Claudia Pina: Versatile Game-Changer
Claudia Pina topped the Champions League scoring with 24 club goals and six for Spain, despite no trophy win. In 27 games and 1,557 minutes, she managed 10 goals and seven assists—17 contributions, one every 92 minutes.
The 24-year-old’s midfield-to-forward versatility was crucial for Barcelona and Spain, though she was absent for the Euros final. Her influence makes her a favored Ballon d’Or contender.
Lucy Bronze: Defensive Dynamo
Lucy Bronze defied a fractured tibia to win Euro 2025 and a domestic treble with Chelsea. In 19 games and 1,491 minutes, she added two goals and three assists—five contributions.
The 33-year-old full-back logged heavy Euros minutes for England, scoring a key penalty against Sweden. While defenders rarely win, Bronze’s spectacular year elevates her Ballon d’Or chances.
Mariona Caldentey: Arsenal’s New Spark
Mariona Caldentey transformed Arsenal post-Barcelona move, helping secure their first Champions League. In 21 games and 1,774 minutes, she scored nine goals with five assists—14 contributions.
Named WSL player of the year, the Spaniard netted in the Euro 2025 final loss. Her creativity and edge make her a rising Ballon d’Or star.
The Best of the Rest for Women
England’s Euro 2025 winners dominate: Alessia Russo and Lucy Bronze (profiled), plus Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton for her heroics, Chloe Kelly for the final penalty winner, and captain Leah Williamson.
As the ceremony approaches, these Ballon d’Or contenders embody the sport’s global excellence. Whether it’s Dembélé’s flair or Bonmatí’s poise, the 2025 awards promise to celebrate football’s finest. Who takes the honors? Share your predictions below.
