The race for the 2025 Ballon d'Or has taken an unexpected turn following Spain's defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday night. Barcelona's young sensation Lamine Yamal, who had been among the frontrunners, was effectively contained by Portugal's defense as the world champions fell to a 5-3 penalty shootout loss.
The defeat could prove costly for Yamal's Ballon d'Or aspirations, as the prestigious individual award often favors players who secure major trophies with both club and country. Despite his impressive statistics and domestic success with Barcelona, the Nations League setback might impact his standing in the final voting.
Current Ballon d'Or 2025 Rankings
With several standout performers across Europe's top leagues and competitions, this year's Ballon d'Or race remains exceptionally close. Here's how the top 10 currently stands:
1. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Stats: 35 goals, 15 assists
Trophies: UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Stats: 21 goals, 26 assists
Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa
3. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Stats: 39 goals, 25 assists
Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Stats: 36 goals, 24 assists
Trophies: Premier League
5. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Stats: 45 goals, 7 assists
Trophies: UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup
6. Vitinha (PSG)
Stats: 7 goals, 6 assists
Trophies: UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, Nations League
7. Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Stats: 7 goals, 12 assists, 13 clean sheets
Trophies: UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, Nations League
8. Desire Doue (PSG)
Stats: 15 goals, 16 assists
Trophies: UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions
9. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Stats: 14 goals, 11 assists
Trophies: UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Serie A, Coupe de France
10. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Stats: 11 goals, 15 assists, 21 clean sheets
Trophies: UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions
PSG Dominance in Ballon d'Or Race
Paris Saint-Germain's unprecedented success this season is reflected in the Ballon d'Or rankings, with six PSG players featuring in the top 10. The French champions' UEFA Champions League triumph appears to be a decisive factor, with Ousmane Dembele currently leading the race thanks to his 35 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
Portuguese players Vitinha and Nuno Mendes have further strengthened their positions following Portugal's Nations League victory, with both now boasting an impressive trophy haul that includes both club and international honors.
Meanwhile, despite scoring an impressive 45 goals in his debut season with Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe finds himself in fifth place, with his limited trophy collection potentially hampering his chances of claiming a first Ballon d'Or.
With several months still remaining before the official Ballon d'Or ceremony, these rankings could yet change based on performances in the remaining fixtures of the season and the upcoming international tournaments.
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