The Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as the top individual trophy for footballers, as it is given to the best player of that year. Lionel Messi is often considered the best-ever football player, proven by his record eight Ballon d’Or wins. 

The football world has plenty of top-tier players competing for the award in 2025. The post-Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era of the Ballon d’Or has led to more players competing for the Golden Ball. 

Here are the current top choices for the 2025 Ballon d’Or:

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The Premier League is often considered the world’s best domestic football league. Since Liverpool is the runaway favourite to win the Prem, it is expected that their biggest star is a Ballon d’Or candidate. Mohamed Salah has been with LFC since 2017, making him the club’s superstar for a long time, and he could get recognition for his efforts.

Across all competitions for Liverpool, Salah has 32 goals and 23 assists as of April 15, 2025. His performance has been impressive due to his goal contributions being the primary reason Liverpool is en route to winning another Premier League title. However, what hurts his candidacy is Liverpool’s absence from the cup competitions.

Raphinha (Barcelona)

Raphinha has been superb for Barcelona this season, as he has fully moved to the left-wing position. Manager Hansi Flick put him there to maximise his front three, consisting of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski. It has worked well, considering Barça has made it far in the Champions League and is in La Liga’s title race.

Across all competitions for Barça, Raphinha has 28 goals and 22 assists as of April 15, 2025. The Brazilian has surpassed expectations due to his impressive stats, as he has elevated his game from being the talisman for Leeds United to becoming the best player on a European giant.

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

Regarded as one of the best players in the world when he was with Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappé showed the same competence in Real Madrid. He has been hailed by former Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón as the player to follow in the legendary footsteps of Ronaldo Nazário. 

Since he was converted to a striker, Mbappé has become a pure goalscorer. He has dished out four assists as of April 15, 2025, but he has scored 32 goals. With Real Madrid’s potential success in La Liga, the Frenchman’s status as the best player could win him the award.

The Ballon d’Or is a prestigious award, and all the best candidates are worthy of winning it. It will be a toss-up among three superstars, but there is still a lot of football to be played.

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FC Barcelona plans to extend Raphinha's contract until 2029. The 28-year-old Brazilian winger has become a key player for the team under coach Hansi Flick. His current deal lasts until 2027, but the club wants to keep him longer.

This season, Raphinha shines with 24 goals and 15 assists in just 35 games. He is Barcelona's second-highest goalscorer and a leader in the locker room. 

The new contract will keep him at Barcelona longer and increase his salary starting in 2026. This shows how much the club values what he brings to the team. Raphinha has become one of the most notable players, both on and off the field.

Since joining Leeds United in 2022, Raphinha has adjusted well to his role under Flick’s guidance. He started as a right-winger but now plays regularly on the left side. 

Raphinha's great performance this season puts him on track to beat his fellow Brazilian, Vinicius Jr., at Real Madrid, who also aims for the Ballon d'Or award. With this contract extension, Barcelona wants to keep one of its best players for the future. Fans can look forward to seeing more of Raphinha's skills in the coming years.

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