Champions League Showdown and Ballon d’Or Contenders
As we stand on the brink of the climax of the 2025 Champions League season, anticipation builds for the final showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, set to take place in Munich. This prestigious tournament often influences the races for other accolades in European football, including the coveted Ballon d’Or. Among the favorites vying for this year’s honor is PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, whose stellar performance has positioned him as a leading contender. Inter Milan also features players making strong cases for recognition.
Top Contenders for the Ballon d’Or
In the lead-up to the final, we explore the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or, including insights from previous rankings. Initially, we highlighted Raphinha as the frontrunner, followed closely by Dembele, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe. Since then, significant shifts in player performances have emerged.
Raphinha: Previously atop our rankings, Raphinha has remained impactful, adding six goals and three assists over the last 11 matches. Despite Barcelona’s struggle against Inter in the Champions League semi-finals, where he contributed strategically, he shone in the fevered La Liga clash against Real Madrid, netting twice in a thrilling comeback. Raphinha’s upcoming commitment includes representing Brazil in World Cup qualifying matches. Recent league performances saw him play 64 minutes in a critical match against Athletic Club.
Ousmane Dembele: After clinching the Ligue 1 title with PSG, Dembele delivered an impressive season tally of 21 goals and 8 assists from 29 league appearances, eventually earning the Player of the Year award. In recent competitions, he played pivotal roles, including assisting vital goals in the Champions League knockout stages. Although he didn’t score in the Coupe de France final, his overall contributions have kept him in the spotlight ahead of the Champions League final, where success could elevate him further in Ballon d’Or considerations. Moreover, he is set to play for France’s Nations League squad soon.
Lamine Yamal: The 17-year-old star has elevated his game significantly, showcasing skill and tenacity in high-pressure situations, notably during Barcelona finals. With an astounding 18 goals and 25 assists this season, Yamal’s contributions have been critical to Barcelona’s success. He is also preparing to join Spain for their Nations League semi-final.
Kylian Mbappe: Despite a slow start to the spring, the French striker rebounded impressively, ending the season with 31 league goals. His key performances included a vital brace on the last day of the season, which pushed him ahead in the Pichichi standings. Mbappe is slated to join the French national team for upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Harry Kane: The England forward has been consistent as well, scoring in crucial moments despite Bayern’s challenging campaign. His impressive tally of 38 goals across all competitions helped secure his first silverware with the club. Kane will participate in World Cup qualifiers next week, emphasizing his importance on the international stage.
Alessandro Bastoni: Although his Serie A minutes have dropped, the defender of Inter Milan has shown potential in critical matches, including well-executed assists and composed performances amidst challenging competitions. He will also play important fixtures with Italy ahead of their World Cup qualifiers.
Emerging Players
Newcomers like Scott McTominay and Ruben Neves have emerged in the rankings as they have significantly influenced their respective teams this season. McTominay was pivotal in Napoli clinching the Serie A title, while Neves made strides as a key midfielder for PSG.
Looking back at the various performances across Europe, the race for the Ballon d’Or remains more exciting as players continue to battle for recognition in the final stages of their seasons, especially in light of the Champions League final’s prestige.
