Ballon d’Or 2025: Positions 25th to 21st Announced

The official Ballon d’Or rankings for the 2025 award from 25th to 21st place have been revealed in Paris, as anticipation builds ahead of the ceremony. Leading footballers from across Europe are included in these spots, reflecting a season filled with top performances and close competition.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The latest rankings released put Denzel Dumfries in 25th place, Fabian Ruiz in 24th, Jude Bellingham in 23rd, and Alexis Mac Allister in 22nd. The player placed 21st has yet to be officially confirmed as of the announcement. Denzel Dumfries, who plays for Inter Milan, played a key role for his club as they challenged for the Serie A title and reached the Champions League knockout rounds. Fabian Ruiz contributed for Paris Saint-Germain in their domestic campaign and Champions League run. Jude Bellingham, after an impressive first season at Real Madrid, scored 14 goals and provided 7 assists in La Liga. Notably, Bellingham had a remarkable season where he scored 15 goals and made 15 assists across 58 games, emerging as Real Madrid’s second top scorer and being named La Liga Player of the Season.

STANDOUT NUMBERS AND CONTEXT

The Ballon d’Or this year is based on performances throughout the 2024/25 season. Real Madrid had a mixed campaign, finishing second in La Liga and reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. Bellingham’s adaptation to Madrid was lightning fast, playing over 3,000 minutes across all competitions. Liverpool, with Mac Allister’s composure in midfield, ended the Premier League season as winners, 10 points ahead of Arsenal. Inter Milan, supported by Dumfries’ dynamism, finished 2nd in the Serie A, while Paris Saint-Germain once again dominated Ligue 1 domestically and won the Champions League beating Inter Milan in the final. Fabian Ruiz was a regular starter for PSG, playing crucial minutes in key matches.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE CEREMONY AND WHAT’S NEXT

The Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place this evening at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. All eyes will be on the top ten names, with several stars from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Real Madrid in strong contention for the trophy. With the first twenty-five places now unveiled, attention turns to the final rankings and the announcement of the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner. The debates around who deserves the top spot continue, with standout seasons from Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha fueling discussions. The world of football now waits to see which superstar will be crowned the best player in the world for 2025.