The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is intensifying, with Europe’s elite footballers vying for the title of the world’s best player.
As the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan approaches, this high-stakes match is set to be a defining moment in determining the winner.
Among the frontrunners are three standout talents from FC Barcelona, whose performances have thrust them into the global spotlight.
Can Barcelona’s Stars Make Their Case for the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
On Thursday, Barcelona secured their 28th La Liga title with a commanding 2-0 victory over Espanyol, cementing their dominance in Spanish football.
Three players – Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha – have emerged as serious contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
Their contributions powered Barcelona to a domestic double, clinching both La Liga and the Copa del Rey, and drove the club to the Champions League semi-finals, where they fell to Inter Milan in extra time.
Additionally, Pedri and Yamal played pivotal roles in Spain’s triumph at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, further bolstering their credentials.
Pedri: The Midfield Maestro
Pedri González, at just 22, has solidified his status as a cornerstone of Barcelona’s midfield under head coach Hansi Flick.
Since his breakthrough in 2020, the Spanish star has been a revelation, blending technical brilliance with relentless work rate.
This season, Pedri has been virtually unplayable, leading La Liga with 227 possession recoveries, a testament to his defensive tenacity.
Offensively, he has contributed four goals and six assists across all competitions, earning four Man of the Match awards in La Liga alone.
Pedri’s ability to dictate tempo, break opposition lines, and regain possession has been integral to Barcelona’s fluid style.
His performances, both for club and country, make him a strong candidate, though his relatively modest goal-and-assist tally compared to attacking players may challenge his case.
Lamine Yamal: A Generational Talent In The Ballon d’Or Race
At just 17, Lamine Yamal has taken the football world by storm, emerging as one of the most exciting prospects in the game.
A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Yamal has lived up to the hype as a “generational talent.”
His impact at the 2024 Euros was immense, with four assists and a stunning goal to help Spain claim the title.
In the 2024-25 season, he has been a driving force for Barcelona, scoring eight goals and providing 13 assists in La Liga, plus five goals and three assists in the Champions League.
Yamal’s flair is unmatched. He excels at creating chances from nothing, moving the ball into dangerous areas, and driving Barcelona forward with his electrifying runs.
His dribbling is his standout trait, boasting a 55.4% dribble success rate and averaging 5.0 dribbles per 90 minutes in La Liga – both league-leading figures.
His passing in tight spaces and ability to consistently penetrate the penalty area, whether by carrying or passing, set him apart.
Thanks to his dazzling performance and matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s La Liga titles, some fans argue he deserves the Ballon d’Or.
While his youth and lack of a Champions League title may work against him, Yamal’s fearless performances and record-breaking contributions make him a serious contender.
Raphinha: The Clutch Performer
Raphinha Barcelona’s revitalized Brazilian winger, has been the team’s go-to man in critical moments.
His staggering 32 goals and 22 assists across all competitions in the 2024-25 season place him among Europe’s most productive attackers.
In the Champions League, Raphinha delivered decisive goals in the Round of 16 against Benfica and a notable strike against Inter Milan in the semi-finals, though Barcelona’s elimination – sealed by late goals from Inter’s Francesco Acerbi and Davide Frattesi – halted their European campaign.
Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Raphinha has earned praise for his defensive work rate, relentless pressing, and ability to create for teammates. His versatility and clutch performances have been vital to Barcelona’s domestic success.
However, the absence of a Champions League title and competition from players in the final, like PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé or Inter’s Lautaro Martínez, could jeopardize his chances.
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PSG Trio’s Chances of Winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or
Paris Saint-Germain boasts three standout contenders: Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
With PSG reaching the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan, clinching Ligue 1, and advancing to the Coupe de France final, these players believe they’ve done enough to stake their claim for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Ousmane Dembélé: The Frontrunner
Ousmane Dembele has emerged as the leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
His transformation under Head coach Luis Enrique has been remarkable, making him PSG’s talisman in their pursuit of a historic treble.
The former Barcelona attacker has delivered an exceptional 33 goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season, including an important goal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Arsenal.
His 25 goals in 2025 alone make him the world’s top scorer this calendar year. His versatility, clinical finishing, and ability to perform in big moments – such as his strike at Anfield against Liverpool – have elevated his case.
Dembele‘s goal-scoring prowess, leadership in PSG’s attack, and clutch performances give him an edge. However, the lack of a major international tournament in 2024/25 means his case relies solely on club form.
If he falters in the final, players like Martínez or Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal could close the gap.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
The Georgian international made a move from Napoli to Paris Saint Germain in January 2025 and has had an immediate impact on the team.
His 17 league appearances for Napoli earlier in the season, with the club topping Serie A, position him to potentially earn medals in both Serie A and Ligue 1.
Kvaratskhelia’s mid-season transfer hasn’t diminished his influence. He’s helped PSG stay top of Ligue 1 and on track for a Champions League crown. A potential treble (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Champions League) would strengthen his case.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
The last goalkeeper to win the Balon d’Or was Lev Yashin in 1963. And for the Italian goalkeeper to feature among today’s attacking superstars speaks volumes about Donnarumma’s extraordinary performances.
His heroics, including a penalty shootout masterclass against Liverpool and crucial saves in Paris Saint-Germain’s run to the Champions League final, have ensured his brilliance hasn’t gone unnoticed, thrusting him into the global spotlight.
His commanding presence has been a pillar of PSG’s defensive solidity, complementing their attacking stars.
A potential treble, including the Coupe de France, would make him a historic candidate, as goalkeepers rarely receive Ballon d’Or recognition.
Liverpool’s Egyptian King in the Race Again for the Ballon d’Or After Finishing Third in Last Year’s Competition
Mohamed Salah: The Record-Breaking Forward
The Attacker has solidified his status as one of football’s elite, leading Liverpool to the 2024-25 Premier League title with an extraordinary campaign.
The Egyptian forward’s record-breaking season has thrust him back into the Ballon d’Or conversation after securing third place in the 2024 competition.
This season the Egyptian won the English Premier League title with Liverpool and has broken numerous records on the way to achieving that feat
Salah who signed a contract extension with the Merseyside club, was the first Player to Score and assist in 10 different games in a Season and was also the first to reach double figures for goals and assists Before Christmas with 15 goals and 11 assists in the league.
Mo Salah also set a new club record with 18 assists in the 2024/25 Premier League season, surpassing Steve McManaman’s previous record of 15 in 1995/96.
Most Goal Involvements in a 38-Game Premier League Season: Salah’s 46 goal involvements (28 goals, 18 assists) in the 2024-25 season set a new Premier League record for a 38-game campaign.
He has a chance to increase his numbers when Liverpool face Brighton and Crystal Palace in the last 2 games of the season.
Salah recorded 46 goal involvements (28 goals, 18 assists) in 36 Premier League appearances, contributing to 63% of Liverpool’s league goals.
The absence of major international tournaments in the 202425 season means the Ballon d’Or will be decided solely by club performances, levelling the playing field for Salah, whose Egypt national team has historically underperformed.
Inter Milan Lautaro Martínez Aims to Cement Ballon d’Or Case in Champions League Final
Set to compete in his second Champions League final in three years, Lautaro Martínez is determined to lead Inter Milan to victory against Paris Saint-Germain, a triumph that could significantly elevate his 2025 Ballon d’Or prospects.
In the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, Martínez secured an impressive seventh place, driven by his pivotal role in Inter Milan’s Serie A title, Supercoppa Italiana victory, and Argentina’s Copa América 2024 triumph, where he scored the decisive goal in the final against Colombia.
This season, Martínez has solidified his status as a top contender for the prestigious award. His 25 goals and eight assists across all competitions have propelled Inter Milan toward another Scudetto.
In the Champions League, his clutch performances – including critical goals against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and Barcelona in the semi-finals – have been instrumental in guiding Inter to the final, further strengthening his case for football’s highest individual honour.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Nicolo Campo
Recording Date: 06.05.2025