Ballon d’Or 2025 vs 2024: How the Rankings Changed

The Ballon d’Or remains football’s most prestigious individual award, and with each year comes a shift in how the world judges talent, performance, and influence on the pitch. 

The 2025 edition crowned a new champion in Ousmane Dembélé, marking a dramatic change from the previous year when Manchester City’s midfield general, Rodri, stood at the top. 

A closer look at the rankings reveals not only new faces in the spotlight but also striking rises and falls among some of football’s biggest names.

From Rodri to Dembélé: A New King of Europe

In 2024, Rodri won the Ballon d’Or thanks to his commanding performances for Manchester City and Spain. He was followed by Vinícius Júnior in second and Jude Bellingham in third. The rankings reflected the dominance of Spanish football and the strength of City’s treble-winning run.

Fast forward to 2025, the crown has passed to Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé. The French winger’s explosive performances earned him the award, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal finishing in second place, signalling a generational shift.

Vitinha rounded off the top three, a surprise entry that underlines the growing importance of midfield creators outside the usual household names.

The Rise of Lamine Yamal

One of the biggest stories of 2025 is the meteoric rise of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Just a year ago, he was ranked 8th.

In 2025, he soared to second place, narrowly missing out on being the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history. His development highlights Barcelona’s return to relevance and the new wave of talent shaping European football.

New Faces in the Top 5

The 2025 top five also saw Mohamed Salah (4th) and Raphinha (5th) make strong appearances. Their inclusion demonstrates how established stars and emerging forces are reshaping the hierarchy.

In contrast, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, last year’s second and third, slipped outside the top positions, showing how quickly fortunes can change in elite football.

Kylian Mbappé, one of the most consistent performers of the last decade, continued to hold a place in the top 10. In 2024, he was ranked 6th; in 2025, he finished 7th, proving his longevity at the highest level despite fierce competition from younger talents.

The 2024 rankings were dominated by midfielders like Rodri, Bellingham, and Carvajal, reflecting tactical control and team dominance. In contrast, 2025 leaned heavily toward attacking flair, with wingers and forwards,Dembélé, Yamal, Salah, and Raphinha, taking centre stage.