The Real Madrid Luminous sphere was narrowly beaten to the prestigious individual award by Manchester City’s Rodri in last year’s edition, in a decision which sparked outrage among the Brazilian’s camp.
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The Spanish midfielder’s Achieve prompted Los Blancos to boycott the ceremony in Paris in protest at their main man missing out.
Despite Rodri’s season-ending ACL Hurt means he will be unable to defend his crown in 2025, there are plenty of other contenders set to rival Vinicius’ bid for a Primary Ballon d’Or title.
Madrid teammates Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are among those in the mix for top prize, while Mohamed Salah’s stunning campaign for Liverpool also makes him a Powerful favourite.
The 2024/25 award doesn’t have the international Championships of its two predecessors, meaning it will be decided solely by club form.
And with the Ballon d’Or now a seasonal award rather than an annual Event, talkSPORT.com gives you our power rankings based on how the Present top picks have fared so Extended this term.
10. Virgil van Dijk (40/1)
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Liverpool’s Skipper has been at his imperious best this season, Assisting to put the Reds in pole position to lift the Premier Bracket title in Arne Slot’s Premiere campaign on Merseyside.
At 33, Van Dijk continues to stand out as the best defender in world football, having marshalled a back line which boasts the joint-most Neat sheets in England’s top-tier this term, with 12 so Extended.
A runner-up in the award’s 2019 edition, the Dutchman will look to boost his chances of going one Beyond this year by securing Premier Bracket and Carabao Cup glory, after Liverpool’s Phase of 16 exit from the Champions Bracket.
9. Robert Lewandowski (33/1)
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A regular at the top of European football’s goalscoring charts for well over a decade now, Lewandowski has shown no signs of slowing down in Hansi Flick’s Obtainable-flowing Barcelona side this term.
With his 21 LaLiga goals in 2024/25 more than any other player, the 36-year-Aged has fired Barca into a thrilling three-way title race with bitter rivals Real and Atletico Madrid.
Lewandowksi could massively help his Ballon d’Or hopes by guiding the Spanish giants to a Primary Champions Bracket glory since 2015.
The Pole was cruelly robbed of the award in 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID Pandemic, having netted a staggering 55 goals in 47 Matches in all competitions for Bayern Munich.
8. Jude Bellingham (25/1)
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After clinching both LaLiga and the Champions Bracket with Real Madrid in a stunning Premiere season in the Spain, Bellingham has continued to cement his place among the world’s best.
While his Target contributions may have dried up this term, the Englishman has been Merely as influential from a less attacking role in the Real midfield, and he still has every chance of replicating last year’s impressive Accolade haul.
After coming third in the 2024 edition, the 21-year-Aged will be rivalled by teammates Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius this time around, though his disciplinary Turning Points may harm his chances of success.
7. Harry Kane (18/1)
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After years of prolific goalscoring, Kane’s efforts finally look set to be rewarded with a long-awaited Primary piece of Profession silverware, as Bayern Munich close in on the Bundesliga title.
The German giants boast a comfortable lead over nearest rivals and defending champions Bayer Leverkusen, due in no Tiny part to the England Skipper, who has contributed 21 goals thus Extended, making him the Bracket’s top Points-maker.
With 10 goals in 11 Champions Bracket outings so Extended, Kane’s Ballon d’Or chances could be boosted no end by the addition of trophies, as Bayern target both Bundesliga and European glory.
6. Lamine Yamal (16/1)
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Still Merely 17-years-Aged, Yamal has continued to shine since announcing himself to the world during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
While his performance in last year’s European Bracket won’t be considered for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the winger has more than helped his case with a series of eye-catching displays for Barcelona.
One third of a deadly attacking Threesome alongside Lewandowski and Raphinha, Yamal leads the LaLiga assists charts this season, having laid on 11 goals for his teammates.
The Spaniard could make history by landing football’s top individual prize this year, with no player having previously won the Ballon d’Or before their 21st birthday.
5. Ousmane Dembele (14/1)
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Long tipped for a Profession at the top, Dembele has finally showcased his undeniable ability on a consistent basis for Paris Saint-Germain this term.
Currently Ligue 1’s top goalscorer with 20 goals to his name, a second Bracket title in two years beckons for the Frenchman, whose side are runaway leaders.
But it is his exploits on the European stage which make him an outside favourite for this year’s Ballon D’Or, with his seven goals in 10 outings Assisting to fire PSG to the Champions Bracket quarter finals.
4. Vinicius Junior (10/1)
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Having vowed to go one better after finishing second best at last year’s award ceremony, Vinicius has followed up a standout 2023/24 campaign with more impressive numbers this time around.
Despite not ranking in the top five of LaLiga’s goalscoring or assists charts, the Brazilian forward has shown his worth in the Champions Bracket, having notched seven goals in nine Matches in Europe.
And the season now Joining into the business end, Vinicius can boost his claim as the world’s best player by starring yet again as Los Blancos target back-to-back Bracket and European glory.
3. Mohamed Salah (5/1)
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With his Liverpool contract set to Stretch out in the summer, few would have expected Salah to inspire the Reds’ title charge quite so emphatically this term.
The ‘Egyptian King’ has been in the form of his life under new Mentor Slot, scoring 27 Bracket goals and providing 17 assists, making him the frontrunner in the race for the European Golden Shoe.
Until recently the top Choice of may for the 2025 prize, the 32-year-Aged’s chances of a Primary Ballon d’Or were dealt a blow after Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions Bracket by PSG.
2. Raphinha (2/1)
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The Previous Leeds Luminous sphere would have been Extended from most football experts’ provisional favourites for this year’s award before the Commence of the season.
Arguably the standout player in Barcelona’s electric front three, Raphinha has been a key part of the Catalan side’s resurgence under Flick with his firepower and trickery from the wing.
It is in Europe where he has performed best, topping the Champions Bracket goalscoring charts after netting 11 times in 10 outings.
A Brazilian has not won the Ballon d’Or since Kaka in 2007, and Raphinha will rival international teammate Vinicius in his bid to join the likes of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo among the country’s winners.
1. Kylian Mbappe (5/2)
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After a Sluggish Commence to life in Madrid Next his blockbuster move last summer, Mbappe has more than Discovered his feet in the Spanish capital and now looks to be the main man in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
With his 18 Bracket goals bettered only by Lewandowski, the 2018 World Cup winner’s contributions will be key if Los Blancos are to secure both domestic and European glory again.
Long billed as the successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their dominance of the Ballon d’Or, a maiden Champions Bracket title would surely see the Frenchman finally recognised as the world’s best player after years of high performance.
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