Big Names Fill 16-20 Spots in 2025 Ballon d’Or Rankings

The 2025 Ballon d’Or positions from 16 to 20 are out. Vinicius Jr, Robert Lewandowski, Scott McTominay, João Neves, and Lautaro Martínez fill these spots. This list has both superstars and new talents after a wild football season in Europe.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Ballon d’Or is a top award for football players, given yearly to the best one based on their season performance. The new rankings show Vinicius Jr is 16th, Lewandowski 17th, McTominay 18th, Neves 19th, and Lautaro Martínez 20th. These big names in lower spots show how tough the competition was, with some missing the top spots due to team issues, injuries, or lower personal performance.

HOW THESE PLAYERS PERFORMED THIS SEASON

Vinicius Jr helped Real Madrid get second place in La Liga last season, where he scored 14 goals and had 8 assists in 32 matches. This season, he has already featured in six games, although he has been left out of the starting XI twice, showcasing the competitive environment under manager Xabi Alonso who has praised his hard work. Robert Lewandowski scored 17 goals for Barcelona, as they won La Liga, four points ahead of Real Madrid. Scott McTominay stood out for Napoli, scoring 9 goals in 31 matches. He was praised for his performance in important games, as Napoli won their 4th league title in history. João Neves became a key player for PSG, playing in nearly every game and becoming a top prospect in France. Lautaro Martínez scored 22 goals and helped Inter Milan finish as runner-ups in the Scudetto. However, he still only got the 20th place in the Ballon d’Or.

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE SEASON

With the Ballon d’Or votes in, these players focus on club and international games. Real Madrid have a La Liga match against Levante, and they are currently unbeaten in La Liga, having won all five of their opening games and sitting top of the table. Barcelona must win their next La Liga game against Real Sociedad to stay in the title race. Inter Milan play Cagliari, as they sit mid-table with only six points from four matches. Each player wants a strong finish for a higher Ballon d’Or ranking next year.