The conversation on who was the best player in the world last season continues after nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual honour, were revealed on August 7, 2025..
The discussion is becoming more heated each week as the winner is scheduled to be crowned on Monday, September 22, 2025, at a ceremony in Paris.
Many of the world’s most notable players are on the shortlist after an exciting 2024–2025 season; selection is based on performances in all major tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup.
After leading his team to a historic treble—winning the French Cup, Ligue 1, and the Champions League—Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé emerges as one of the front-runners.
Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha, two PSG teammates, are also in the running.
Raphinha’s services were crucial to the club’s triumph, while Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has received praise for his breakthrough performances.
Mohamed Salah, a forward for Liverpool, is back in the running after leading the Reds to another Premier League championship.
Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, and Vinícius Júnior are included in the all-star roster. Gianluigi Donnarumma is commended for his outstanding goalkeeping performances at PSG.
On September 22, 2025, which player is the favourite of the bookies to win the Golden Ball?
Chances for players to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or
These are the current odds for the Ballon d’Or based on several bookies.
With an overwhelming 80% likelihood of winning the title of best player in the world, Dembele is the overwhelming frontrunner. In terms of his chances of winning, Yamal, who is seen as the closest competitor, is not that close to the PSG star.
There is just a 25% chance that he will win. With only 1% separating them, Salah is surprisingly ranked higher than Barcelona’s Raphinha.
The top six favourites
- Dembélé (80%)
- Yamal Lamine (25%)
- Salah (6%).
- Raphinha (5%).
- 4.76% of Kvaratskhelia
- Cole Palmer (2.9%)
- Mbappé (1.9%).