Ballon d’Or 2025 Contenders: Do Any EPL Players Stand a Chance?

Rising Stars Lead the Ballon d’Or Race

Le 2025 Ballon d’Or is fast approaching, and the spotlight is firmly on Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s era of dominance now behind us, football’s most prestigious individual award feels more open than ever. This year’s ceremony will take place on Monday night, and it would be no surprise if a PSG player stepped up to collect the prize.

The French champions secured their first-ever Champions League triumph last season and followed it up by reaching the Club World Cup final this summer. Such success is reflected in the 30-man shortlist, which features no fewer than nine PSG players.

Last year’s winner was Rodri, who edged out Vinícius Júnior in the voting. The result sparked outrage in Madrid, with Real choosing to boycott the event altogether.

The Favourite: Ousmane Dembélé

Ousmane Dembélé is regarded as the leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The French forward delivered the best season of his career, hitting 35 goals and supplying 16 assists across all competitions. His contributions were vital as PSG completed a historic campaign, winning both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

PSG’s sporting director, Luis Campos, was forthright in his view: “If Ousmane doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, it’s because the people who voted don’t have the competence to vote for the Ballon d’Or. If he was called Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no discussion.”

With such numbers, Dembélé’s case is difficult to ignore.

The Main Challenger: Lamine Yamal

Standing in Dembélé’s way is Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal. At just 18, the Spanish prodigy is already being tipped as a future Ballon d’Or winner, and he is considered the second favourite for this year’s crown.

If Yamal were to win, he would smash Ronaldo Nazário’s long-standing record as the youngest ever Ballon d’Or recipient. The Brazilian legend was 21 when he lifted the trophy back in 1997.

Yamal was instrumental in Barcelona’s La Liga title win last season. He also inspired their Champions League run to the semi-finals, where they eventually lost a pulsating tie against Inter Milan. Over the campaign, he registered 18 goals and 25 assists – staggering numbers for a teenager.

Other Leading Names

Beyond Dembélé and Yamal, PSG’s Vitinha deserves recognition. The midfielder was a crucial figure in Luis Enrique’s side, ever-present throughout the season. His performances earned him the accolade of second-best player at the Club World Cup. Vitinha also lifted the Nations League with Portugal.

His compatriot Nuno Mendes also shone brightly, named player of the finals in the same competition. At 23, Mendes has established himself as arguably the best left-back in world football, excelling in Europe against elite opposition such as Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka.

Meanwhile, Barcelona winger Raphinha enjoyed a career-best year, producing 56 goal involvements. Highlights included five goals against Real Madrid across the season and a memorable hat-trick against Bayern Munich.

Elsewhere on the shortlist, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Pedri, and Gianluigi Donnarumma – now at Manchester City – are all genuine outsiders.

Premier League Representation

The Premier League is not without its representatives. Liverpool’s Premier League title win ensures Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister feature on the list.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has been nominated again, joined by Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Viktor Gyökeres, who impressed during his time at Sporting.

Palmer dazzled at the Club World Cup, but Liverpool’s Salah appears the most realistic contender from English football. The Egyptian forward scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the league, underlining his consistency. However, Liverpool’s early Champions League exit at the last-16 stage may prove costly in the final voting.

Despite never finishing higher than fifth in the Ballon d’Or standings, Salah could surpass that this year. His influence in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign ensures he remains firmly in the conversation.