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Vinicius Junior faces stiff competition if he is to go one further in his quest for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The Real Madrid star was narrowly beaten to the prestigious individual award by Manchester City’s Rodri in last year’s edition, in a decision which sparked outrage among the Brazilian's camp.
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The Spanish midfielder's victory prompted Los Blancos to boycott the ceremony in Paris in protest at their main man missing out.
Rodri's season-ending ACL injury means he will be unable to defend his crown in 2025, but there are plenty of other contenders set to rival Vinicius' bid for a first Ballon d'Or title.
Madrid teammates Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are among those in the mix for top prize, while Mohamed Salah's stunning campaign for Liverpool also makes him a strong favourite.
The 2024/25 award doesn't have the international tournaments of its two predecessors, meaning it will be decided solely by club form.
And with the Ballon d’Or now a seasonal award rather than an annual contest, talkSPORT.com gives you our power rankings based on how the current top picks have fared so far this term.
All odds courtesy of talkSPORT BET.
10. Pedri (33/1)
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2024/25 season: Five goals, seven assists
Pedri played no part in the latter stages of Spain's Euro 2024 triumph after he suffered a tournament-ending injury.
The midfielder suffered a horrible knee issue that stopped his participation in the semi-final and final as La Roja were crowned champions.
However, his return to the Barcelona team has been magical.
The midfielder has only missed one game all season and has produced a number of wonderful displays as the LaLiga giants seek out a league title and the Champions League.
9. Robert Lewandowski (25/1)
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2024/25 season: 35 goals, 3 assists
A regular at the top of European football's goalscoring charts for well over a decade now, Lewandowski has shown no signs of slowing down in Hansi Flick's free-flowing Barcelona side this term.
With his 22 LaLiga goals in 2024/25 more than any other player, the 36-year-old has fired Barca into a thrilling three-way title race with bitter rivals Real and Atletico Madrid.
Lewandowksi could massively help his Ballon d'Or hopes by guiding the Spanish giants to a first Champions League glory since 2015.
The Pole was cruelly robbed of the award in 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID Pandemic, having netted a staggering 55 goals in 47 games in all competitions for Bayern Munich.
8. Jude Bellingham (25/1)
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2024/25 season: 11 goals, 11 assists
After clinching both LaLiga and the Champions League with Real Madrid in a stunning debut season in the Spain, Bellingham has continued to cement his place among the world's best.
While his goal contributions may have dried up this term, the Englishman has been just as influential from a less attacking role in the Real midfield, and he still has every chance of replicating last year's impressive trophy haul.
After coming third in the 2024 edition, the 21-year-old will be rivalled by teammates Mbappe and Vinicius this time around, though his disciplinary record may harm his chances of success.
7. Harry Kane (12/1)
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2024/25 season: 32 goals, 11 assists
After years of prolific goalscoring, Kane's efforts finally look set to be rewarded with a long-awaited first piece of career silverware, as Bayern Munich close in on the Bundesliga title.
The German giants boast a comfortable lead over nearest rivals and defending champions Bayer Leverkusen, due in no small part to the England captain, who has contributed 21 goals thus far, making him the league's top scorer.
With 10 goals in 11 Champions League outings so far, Kane's Ballon d'Or chances could be boosted no end by the addition of trophies, as Bayern target both Bundesliga and European glory.
6= Vinicius Junior (10/1)
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2024/24 season: 18 goals, 11 assists
Having vowed to go one better after finishing second best at last year's award ceremony, Vinicius has followed up a standout 2023/24 campaign with more impressive numbers this time around.
Despite not ranking in the top five of LaLiga's goalscoring or assists charts, the Brazilian forward has shown his worth in the Champions League, having notched seven goals in nine games in Europe.
And the season now entering into the business end, Vinicius can boost his claim as the world's best player by starring yet again as Los Blancos target back-to-back league and European glory.
However, he has slipped down the pecking order in terms of favourites, with a couple of other contenders emerging.
6= Ousmane Dembele (10/1)
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2024/25 season: 30 goals, 6 assists
Long tipped for a career at the top, Dembele has finally showcased his undeniable ability on a consistent basis for Paris Saint-Germain this term.
Currently Ligue 1's top goalscorer with 21 goals to his name, a second league title in two years beckons for the Frenchman, whose side are runaway leaders.
But it is his exploits on the European stage which make him an outside favourite for this year's Ballon D'Or, with his seven goals in 10 outings helping to fire PSG to the Champions League quarter finals.
Given Ballon d'Or is based on yearly performance, Dembele is leading the way, having scored more goals than anyone in Europe's top leagues in 2025.
4. Lamine Yamal (8/1)
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2024/25 season: 13 goals, 17 assists
Still just 17-years-old, Yamal has continued to shine since announcing himself to the world during Spain's Euro 2024 triumph.
While his performance in last year's European Championship won't be considered for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, the winger has more than helped his case with a series of eye-catching displays for Barcelona.
One third of a deadly attacking trio alongside Lewandowski and Raphinha, Yamal leads the LaLiga assists charts this season, having laid on 11 goals for his teammates.
The Spaniard could make history by landing football's top individual prize this year, with no player having previously won the Ballon d'Or before their 21st birthday.
3. Mohamed Salah (5/1)
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2024/25 season: 32 goals, 22 assists
With his Liverpool contract set to run out in the summer, few would have expected Salah to inspire the Reds' title charge quite so emphatically this term.
The 'Egyptian King' has been in the form of his life under new coach Slot, scoring 27 league goals and providing 17 assists, making him the frontrunner in the race for the European Golden Shoe.
Until recently the top pick of may for the 2025 prize, the 32-year-old's chances of a first Ballon d'Or were dealt a blow after Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG.
They were then beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Newcastle United with Salah not managing a shot at goal.
2. Kylian Mbappe (11/4)
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2024/25 season: 30 goals, 4 assists
After a slow start to life in Madrid following his blockbuster move last summer, Mbappe has more than found his feet in the Spanish capital and now looks to be the main man in Carlo Ancelotti's side.
With his 18 league goals bettered only by Lewandowski, the 2018 World Cup winner's contributions will be key if Los Blancos are to secure both domestic and European glory again.
Long billed as the successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their dominance of the Ballon d'Or, a maiden Champions League title would surely see the Frenchman finally recognised as the world's best player after years of high performance.
Mbappe scored a hat-trick against Manchester City to knock them out of the Champions League, while he is regularly finding the back of the net in LaLiga as well.
1. Raphinha (9/4)
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2024/25 season: 27 goals, 20 assists
The former Leeds United star would have been far from most football experts' provisional favourites for this year's award before the start of the season.
Arguably the standout player in Barcelona's electric front three, Raphinha has been a key part of the Catalan side's resurgence under Flick with his firepower and trickery from the wing.
It is in Europe where he has performed best, topping the Champions League goalscoring charts after netting 11 times in 10 outings, and he is on course to break a Messi record.
A Brazilian has not won the Ballon d'Or since Kaka in 2007, and Raphinha will rival international teammate Vinicius in his bid to join the likes of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo among the country's winners.
