Who Will Claim the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
September 22, 2025. London, England
The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, is heating up, with fans and pundits fiercely debating who deserves to take home the golden ball.
As the season unfolds, several standout players have emerged as frontrunners, each backed by remarkable performances for club and country.
Erling Haaland: The Relentless Force
Leading the conversation is Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, whose goal-scoring exploits continue to defy belief. The Norwegian forward has shattered Premier League records once again, netting over 40 goals across all competitions so far in 2025. His consistency in domestic competitions and pivotal role in City’s successful league title defense have solidified his candidacy.
However, critics point to his lack of influence in Manchester City’s early Champions League exit as a potential blemish on his resume. While Haaland remains a statistical monster, the Ballon d’Or often favors players who shine brightest on the grandest stages.
Vinicius Jr.: The Big-Game Matchwinner
In contrast, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. has excelled precisely in those high-pressure moments. With standout performances in both the UEFA Champions League final and the Copa del Rey, the Brazilian winger has become the face of Madrid’s new era.
His decisive goal in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich and his impressive showing at Copa América 2024 — where Brazil reached the semi-finals — have further elevated his profile. At just 25, Vinicius appears to be peaking at the right moment and is widely viewed as the frontrunner by many analysts.
Lamine Yamal: The Young Prodigy
Emerging as the surprise contender is Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal. At just 18, the Spanish forward has enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2025. His performances at Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament and led Spain to their first European Championship title in over a decade, have turned heads around the world.
Yamal has carried that form into the La Liga season, becoming a central figure in Xavi’s rebuilding project at Barcelona. His maturity, technical brilliance, and composure in big moments have drawn comparisons to Messi — and sparked conversations about whether the Ballon d’Or could be handed to its youngest-ever recipient.
Other Names in the Mix
While the spotlight is mostly on Haaland, Vinicius, and Yamal, several other names could still force their way into contention before voting closes. Jude Bellingham, also at Real Madrid, has continued his evolution into a complete midfielder. Kylian Mbappé, now at Real Madrid as well, could make a late charge if he finishes the year strong. And Lionel Messi, after a strong MLS campaign and a solid Copa América, remains in the conversation — though perhaps more for nostalgia than merit this time.
What Will Decide It?
As always, the Ballon d’Or race may come down to silverware, impact in decisive matches, and narrative. If Haaland finishes with a record-breaking goal tally but no European silverware, will it be enough? Can Vinicius Jr. ride his Champions League heroics to the top? Or will the football world embrace a new era and crown Lamine Yamal as the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history?
The award will be handed out in Paris in late October, and until then, the debate rages on.
