It’s not Lamine Yamal: Barcelona star emerges as 2025 Ballon d’Or early favorite ahead of Kylian Mbappe; Mohamed Salah suffers stunning drop
For years, the Ballon d’Or award was synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The legendary duo dominated the award, leaving little room for debate. But in recent seasons, the prestigious accolade has become far more unpredictable. Rodri’s most recent triumph is a testament to that, as the Manchester City midfielder edged out Vinicius in a hotly contested race.
However, with Rodri sidelined due to a season-ending injury, the 2025 edition of the Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be an open contest. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are, as always, in the conversation. Mohamed Salah, after a sensational start to the campaign, has seen his chances take a hit. Meanwhile, Harry Kane’s goalscoring exploits keep him in the running.
But a new name has unexpectedly surged to the front of the pack—a player few anticipated would lead the race for soccer’s most coveted individual honor. It’s not Lamine Yamal.
The player in question has been in the form of his life. With a staggering 44 goal contributions in all competitions, no player in La Liga has been more influential this season. Only Mohamed Salah has registered more across Europe’s top five leagues, and even then, the Egyptian has played significantly more minutes.
Defenders across Spain and Europe have struggled to contain his direct running, creativity, and lethal finishing. The Champions League has been his playground, where he has already amassed 11 goals and five assists in just 835 minutes—numbers that even Messi, at his peak, couldn’t surpass in the competition’s group stages. His performances have propelled Barcelona into contention for a historic treble. With La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League still within reach, his influence has been impossible to ignore.
Introducing Raphinha: Barcelona’s new star
Yes, the player dominating the Ballon d’Or conversation is none other than Raphinha. The 28-year-old Brazilian has taken his game to another level under Hansi Flick, evolving from a talented winger into the heartbeat of Barcelona’s attack. In a season where Lamine Yamal has dazzled with his youthful brilliance and Robert Lewandowski has continued to score goals, it is Raphinha who has been the Blaugrana’s most decisive player.
“To play against him this season is to be haunted by his driving runs and curling left-footed crosses, his ability to ask questions of the best defenders in the world,” notes The Analyst.
He isn’t just scoring goals; he is creating more chances than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. With 116 chances created and 12.3 expected assists, Raphinha has been both a goal-scorer and a playmaker. And when it comes to delivering in crucial moments, few have been better.
The Blaugrana’s 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group stage was a statement performance, and Raphinha stole the show with a stunning hat-trick. It was the kind of performance that forced the soccer world to take notice. Then in the Round of 16, with his side reduced to 10 men from the 22nd minute, the winger stepped up and scored the decisive goal to send his team through. It was a moment that solidified his reputation as a big-game player.
Can Raphinha win the Ballon d’Or?
The battle for the 2025 Ballon d’Or remains fierce, and securing silverware will be crucial. If Raphinha can guide Barcelona to multiple trophies—particularly the Champions League—his case will become nearly undeniable, GOAL’s latest power rankings reveal.
Kylian Mbappe remains a strong challenger, especially if he can lead Real Madrid to European glory. His recent hat-trick against Manchester City in February was a reminder of his ability to turn big moments in his favor.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah’s decline in the rankings has been one of the season’s biggest surprises. Once considered the frontrunner, Liverpool’s Champions League exit and Carabao Cup final loss have significantly damaged his hopes.
GOAL’s Ballon d’Or 2025 power rankings
| Power rank | Player name | Current club |
| 1. | Raphinha | Barcelona |
| 2. | Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid |
| 3. | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona |
| 4. | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |
| 5. | Ousmane Dembele | PSG |
| 6. | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool |
| 7. | Pedri | Barcelona |
| 8. | Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona |
| 9. | Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid |
| 10. | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |