The Polish forward of Barcelona leads the Goal rating Robert Lewandowski.
The authoritative publication Goal has published a list of the main contenders for the “Golden Ball” in 2025, which France Football magazine awards to the best footballer in the world.
According to the source, the Polish forward of “Barcelona” Robert Lewandowski tops this list.
In second place is 17-year-old Spanish winger of Barcelona Lamin Yamal. Third place is occupied by Brazilian striker of Real Madrid Vinicius Junior, who until the day of the ceremony was considered the main favorite for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, but ultimately was left without the award.
The top 5 contenders for the 2025 Ballon d'Or also include Norwegian striker of Manchester City Erling Haaland and Brazilian midfielder of Barcelona Rafinha.
Goal's Top 15 Ballon d'Or 2025 Favorites
1. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
2. Lamine Jamal (Barcelona)
3. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
4. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
5. Rafinha (Barcelona)
6. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
8. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
9. Pedri (Barcelona)
10. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
11. Florian Wirtz (Bayer)
12. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
13. Christian Pulisic (Milan)
14. Michael Oliseh (Bayern)
15. Jamal Musiola (Bayern)
Recall that the winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or was Spanish midfielder of Manchester City Rodri. In the voting, he beat out the other three finalists in the nomination – Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, who play for Real Madrid.
Rodri became the winner of the Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career. The record holder for the number of Golden Balls won remains Inter Miami and Argentina national team forward Lionel Messi, who has received this prize eight times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023).
The closest pursuer of the Argentine is Al-Nassr and Portugal national team forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who was recognized as the best footballer in the world five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
Earlier it was reported that the winners of the 2024 Golden Ball football award in all nominations have been determined.
