Hey there! Welcome to the very first edition of TNT Sports' 2025 Men's Ballon d'Or Power Rankings. Each week, we’ll keep you updated on both the men’s and women’s races for that prestigious trophy later this year. Stick around to see how the favorites are shaping up and to discover who’s leading the pack for what many consider the ultimate individual honor in football.
It’s been a crazy season, hasn’t it? With more action on the horizon this summer, it’s hard not to have the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards buzzing in the minds of fans, players, and media alike. Last year, we saw Manchester City’s Rodri take the crown, beating out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and England's Jude Bellingham, who snagged third place.
Now, this year adds an interesting twist with the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup. How will that impact voters? Honestly, we’re still trying to figure that out. Just a heads up: the voting period has shifted to focus on performances from the past season instead of the calendar year. So, even though the ceremony is set for September 22, it’ll be all about the 2024-25 season, including that Club World Cup we mentioned.
3 – Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Okay, let’s talk about Yamal. Sure, he didn’t shine in the Nations League and Barcelona didn’t win the Champions League or even make the final. But guess what? They did snag La Liga and the Copa del Rey, plus they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. And Yamal? He was a key player in all of that, finishing with 18 goals and 21 assists across all competitions. It’s a tough call between him, Pedri, and Raphinha. The fact that we’re even considering a 17-year-old as a top player on one of Europe’s elite teams? That’s pretty mind-blowing. Let’s not forget those memorable moments against Inter that will definitely stick with voters.
2 – Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Now, the race for the top spot is heating up, especially among PSG players. I reckon it’s going to be a back-and-forth struggle, particularly during the Club World Cup. Dembele stands out, especially given how football often favors attackers and goal-scorers. With a whopping 33 goals and 13 assists, that’s a record most would envy. Still, France’s failure to win the Nations League could be a bit of a setback for him. In the semi-finals, three of France’s four goals came after he was subbed off. So, will a strong showing at the Club World Cup change the narrative?
1 – Vitinha (PSG)
And now we have our number one: Vitinha. You could say Rodri paved the way, allowing Vitinha to shine. Where Rodri was the backbone for Manchester City and Spain, Vitinha is really the lifeblood of PSG and Portugal. He’s been absolutely crucial. His growth this season has been remarkable; he kept getting better as the stakes got higher. On the way to the final, PSG took down three of the top seven teams in England and then beat the Italian champions in style. Sure, he might not have been the best player in every single match, but most of the time, he was definitely among the top two or three on the field. Right now, he’s our front-runner.
Oh, and here’s a fun fact: he’s outperforming his expected goals (XG) by six goals, which is the sixth highest in Europe’s top five leagues.
Dembélé, on the other hand, has really come alive thanks to Enrique's tactical changes. He’s been given a free role upfront, allowing him to switch things up with the equally impressive Kvaratskhelia. This has led him to score the most goals in Europe’s big five leagues this year.
He played a key role in PSG’s smooth elimination of Aston Villa, assisting in both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals. Then, he faced his biggest challenge yet, scoring and assisting against Arsenal, one of England’s most disciplined teams. And all this, mind you, while dealing with a hamstring injury that limited him to just 90 minutes across both games.
So, that’s the scoop for now! Can't wait to see how this all shakes out as the season rolls on.
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