The football world witnessed history as Ousmane Dembélé clinched the 2025 Ballon d’Or, capping off a sensational season with Paris Saint-Germain. The French forward, who stepped into the void left by Kylian Mbappé, delivered a career-best campaign with 35 goals, leading PSG to a Champions League triumph, a domestic clean sweep, and a Club World Cup final appearance. His rise from a winger once criticized for inconsistency to the world’s best player has been nothing short of remarkable.
Who made the Ballon d’Or 2025 Top 10?
The podium was rounded out by Barcelona’s 18-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who finished second after a breakout season in La Liga and on the international stage. Completing the top three was Vitinha, Dembélé’s PSG teammate, whose midfield brilliance made him one of the most influential playmakers in Europe.
Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah came in fourth, proving once again that age is just a number as he carried his side through key moments of their title-winning campaign. Fifth place went to Raphinha, who shone for Barcelona with his pace, goals, and assists.
Achraf Hakimi further highlighted Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance in European football in sixth and Kylian Mbappé in seventh, showing just how stacked their squad remains. Cole Palmer, the Premier League breakout star, claimed eighth after a dazzling season with Chelsea, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma finished ninth thanks to his Champions League heroics. Rounding out the top 10 was Nuno Mendes, PSG’s left-back, recognized for his consistency and defensive solidity.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings paint a picture of football’s shifting landscape. With seven of the top 10 players tied to PSG, the club’s stranglehold on European football is undeniable. Yet the presence of young stars like Yamal, Palmer, and Mendes signals a bright future beyond the Messi-Ronaldo era.
By Yockshard Enyendi