Ballon d’Or 2025 Rankings: See where Vinicius Jr. ranked above Erling Haaland

Who are the front-runners to replace Rodri, who will not be defending the trophy he won in 2024 due to a season-ending injury?

Manchester City midfielder Rodri was chosen the 2024 winner ahead of Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, seemingly ending the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly over the Ballon d’Or.

With Messi and Ronaldo now playing outside of Europe, it seems as though Rodri’s win officially ushers in a new era. The midfielder played a key role in both club and national triumphs.

Although the Spaniard is a worthy winner this year, it is highly doubtful that the 28-year-old will be able to successfully defend his title due to an ACL injury he sustained early in the 2024–25 season. This implies that 2025 will bring a new champion to the table unless there is a miraculous comeback and some outstanding performances.

The coveted individual award used to be determined by a football player’s performance over the course of a year. But this time, for the third time in the award’s history, the votes are determined by the season’s outcomes. In light of this, we have compiled a list of 20 possible 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees and ranked them according to their performance thus far in the run-up to the gala.

The order is determined based on the following:

• Goals scored
• Assists
• Clean sheets (if defensive-minded)
• Trophies won/challenged for (expected to)
• Big moments in the 2024/25 season
• General form