Ballon d'Or is one of the most beloved and most awaited ceremonies of the year in the football world.
The journey to the award is always a challenging one for all of the players. It requires huge dedication on and off the pitch. We are set to be spectators of another historical night and find out the winner of the award for 2024.
France Football have already made the first list of 30 applicants public. A jury of 170 expert journalists, one from each FIFA-affiliated nation, will then select five players with point values of six, four, three, two, and one to determine the winner.
Three of the main candidates to grab the name of the best player of the year could be Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, or Rodri.
While the process of choosing the Ballon d'Or 2024 is still ongoing, let's gradually turn our focus on the next year's power rankings.
Who will win the Ballon d'Or in 2025
1. Erling Haaland
Club: Manchester City
Country: Norway
Games: 33
Goals: 27
Assists: 2
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Image Source: Getty Images
Erling Haaland scores goals for fun and keeps breaking records in the Premier League and Champions League. That wasn't really a bad 2022/23 season. He made an important contribution to Manchester City's treble, which his form shows despite injury this season.
With all that shows in physicality, pace, and finishing of moves, the Norway international has become the most feared forward in the world. He remains a top contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
2. Kylian Mbappe
Club: Real Madrid
Country: France
Games: 35
Goals: 23
Assists: 3
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Kylian Mbappe proved himself within PSG and repeated his skills again and again. Now he has just begun a new journey with Real Madrid and can attempt to try for the Ballon d'Or trophy, under new chances.
Mbappe - be it speed, dribbling, or even an eye for goal - has always been a cut above the rest in his generation; hence, he features among the best performers worldwide. He has grown in leadership and adaptability, now fronting the Los Blancos attack.
3. Lamine Yamal
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Games: 31
Goals: 11
Assists: 14
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Image Source: Getty Images
Yamal is one of the many football talents who emerged into prominence, groomed by the youth system, and carries a very bright future with him in football. He was just 16 when he took Barcelona by the scruff of the neck with his amazing dribbling, creativity, and composure.
He rose rapidly through the ranks of the first team, being compared to legends, even going as far as Messi himself. He could very well end up being the dark horse for the Ballon d'Or in the years to come - perhaps even 2025.
4. Vinicius Jr.
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Brazil
Games: 30
Goals: 16
Assists: 12
Image Source: Getty Images
Vinícius Júnior Vinícius is improving season by season and has gradually become a regular at Real Madrid. His dribbling and pace are always a menace for any defender. Not just from an attacking sense but also, because he grew as a leader in Madrid.
Vinicius Jr. took Real Madrid to the final stages of the Champions League last term, obtaining recognition on the global level.
5. Jude Bellingham
Club: Real Madrid
Country: England
Games: 32
Goals: 11
Assists: 10
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Jude Bellingham Bellingham slotted into a Real Madrid midfield so smoothly that he became a fans' favorite in no time. What separates his game is that he can make plays from both a scoring and set-up point of view.
He has shown maturity beyond his age and now is one of the most accomplished midfielders in Europe. His performances have kept Madrid in the race for both the La Liga and Europe.
6. Mohamed Salah
Club: Liverpool
Country: Egypt
Games: 35
Goals: 27
Assists: 19
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As much as Liverpool transition, Salah is one of the performers in the Premier League. His speed, dribbling and finishing have remained at elite levels as he has continued to deliver the goods on the biggest of stages.
The Egypt international is the one that not only scores but also creates for others, leading the attacks. Experience and skills help Salah juggle and stay in the race year after year for the individual awards.
7. Harry Kane
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: England
Games: 29
Goals: 29
Assists: 10
Image Source: Getty Images
Harry Kane Kane's transfer to Bayern Munich has had a good bearing on his career. He has been at Tottenham for many years and now plays for trophies regularly in Germany.
The linking play that Kane offers and his finishing have been the important addition to Bayern's attack. His major qualities are consistency in front of goal and leadership: these would land him in the Ballon d'Or run for 2025.
8. Bukayo Saka
Club: Arsenal
Country: England
Games: 24
Goals: 9
Assists: 12
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Saka is arguably the main man at Arsenal because what he brings to their attack is just creativity synonymous with consistency. His versatility allows him to play out on the wing, either wide right or left, while his intelligence on the field gives him an extra special quality.
The goals and assists of Saka have proven to be very important in the resurgence of Arsenal and, on an international level, a key player for England.
9. Jamal Musiala
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: Germany
Games: 30
Goals: 15
Assists: 8
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Musiala is an exciting world-class young talent who has risen through the ranks and could rise further to play a pivotal role for Bayern Munich. He excites the onlookers with his dribbling ability, vision, and composure in front of goal on every move he makes.
He is now a starter for club and country and certainly has proved his mettle as a big-game contributor and record-breaker in terms of scoring and/or assisting. His displays suggest a bright future ahead that is already placing him, at 27, in the serious company of Ballon d'Or contenders.
10. Phil Foden
Club: Manchester City
Country: England
Games: 31
Goals: 10
Assists: 5
Image Source: Getty Images
Pep Guardiola has managed Foden's career well; he has been at the center of Manchester City's success. That, coupled with flair, creativity, and technical ability, makes him one of the best players of his generation.
Foden has further set himself apart, featuring instrumentally for City both in the Premier League and the Champions League.