Paris Dominates, Salah and Hakimi Shine: An Analysis of the 2025 Ballon d’Or Rankings
The French magazine France Football has announced the final ranking of the top 30 players in the world competing for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with the results proving to be contentious as new names rise to the top while others, previously strong contenders, see a decline.
Dembélé Enters History
French player Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) has won the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career, surpassing young Spanish talent Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Portuguese midfielder Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain). This achievement marks a strong comeback for the French winger, who has struggled with injuries for a long time.
Full Ranking of the Top 30 Players
Top Ten:
- Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain
- Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
- Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain
- Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
- Raphinha – Barcelona
- Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain
- Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
- Cole Palmer – Chelsea
- Gianluigi Donnarumma – Paris Saint-Germain
- Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain
11th to 20th Positions:
- Pedri – Barcelona
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Bayern Munich
- Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
- Désiré Doué – Paris Saint-Germain
- Viktor Gyökeres – Sporting Lisbon
- Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
- Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
- Scott McTominay – Napoli
- Joao Nevas – Paris Saint-Germain
- Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan
21st to 30th Positions:
- Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund
- Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool
- Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
- Fabian Ruiz – Paris Saint-Germain
- Denzel Dumfries – Inter Milan
- Erling Haaland – Manchester City
- Declan Rice – Arsenal
- Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
- Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
- Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain’s Dominance
Paris Saint-Germain made a strong showing on the list with seven players, including the award-winner Dembélé, alongside Hakimi, Vitinha, Donnarumma, Nuno Mendes, Désiré Doué, and Joao Nevas, highlighting the team’s significant presence in European football.
Notable Arab Representation
Egyptian Mohamed Salah secured fourth place, affirming his ongoing status among the elite in world football despite advancing age. Moroccan Achraf Hakimi ranked sixth, solidifying his position as the top defender in the rankings and one of the leading Arab and African faces on the international stage.
Surprises and Declines
- Young Lamine Yamal (17) grabbed attention by finishing as runner-up, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat in the history of the award.
- Cole Palmer entered the top ten with a remarkable season at Chelsea.
- Conversely, both Erling Haaland (26) and Vinicius Junior (16) saw notable drops, sparking debates about the voting criteria.
What About the Next Edition?
Early indicators suggest that the upcoming Ballon d’Or races may feature a compelling rivalry among Arab players: Mohamed Salah, who continues to maintain his elite status globally, and Achraf Hakimi, who is writing history as one of the top fullbacks in the world.
Considering their strong rankings this year, their influence on the African Ballon d’Or race seems assured, with both being prime candidates for the next edition, barring any new surprises from Africa.
Conclusion
The 2025 Ballon d’Or edition was full of surprises: Dembélé’s first win, the emergence of young stars like Yamal and Palmer, commendable Arab representation through Salah and Hakimi, and the decline of stars like Haaland and Vinicius. Nonetheless, the competition remains open, and the coming years may see a different battle between a new generation of talents and established names seeking to reclaim their place at the top.
