Former Ballon d’Or winner and Manchester City’s skipper Rodri has given his votes on who should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Spanish midfielder, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, revealed his choices in an interview this week. His selections highlight both current form and consistency at the very top level of the game.
What is the Ballon D’or?
Ballon D’or also known as the Golden Ball is an annual award presented by France Football for the best football player of the year.Originally it was meant for european teams only but it opened to worldwide clubs since 2007.
Who can vote?
This doubt is not just in our minds but,also for the france football federation as first,it was open to football journalists only.Then in 2007 it was open to national team captains and coaches before reverting back to football journalist only in 2016.
Rodri’s Favourites
Rodri being the latest winner of the Ballon D’or for his exceptional season with leading Manchester City for their unbeaten Premier league title and winning the Club World Cup.On the national duty he won the UEFA Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament.
Safe to say that he is qualified to pick the potential winner for 2025.When talking to the media he mentioned that FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and midfielder Pedri & Paris Saint-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele, and midfielder Vitinha as the four players who can win the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or award.
Change of times
The city superstar mentions it would be ideal of the PSG players to win due to their successful campaign but Pedri and Yamal were not too far off on their individual prowess. From the last 15 years there were not more than 2 favourites for this award and you guessed it right it’s Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Also read: Top 7 World Cup Qualifying Goalscorers of All Time ft. Cristiano Ronaldo
Journalist Opinion
While no one can deny the fierce competition between the two greatest players in world football.It was quite repetitive in terms of Ballon D’or awardees.Football fans could foresee who would win based on performances or biases.
Since then,the new reign is taking over.Different nominees, the anticipation of which star would win it makes the award more fair and exciting. Not to take away anything from the G.O.A.T’s of football. Journalists find this reign more engaging and better equipped to voice their opinions.
Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees:
Here are the 30 nominees for the Men’s Ballon d’Or, awarded to the best male footballer of the 2024-25 season.
- Ousmane Dembele (PSG and France)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG and Italy)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
- Desire Doue (PSG and France)
- Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale and the Netherlands)
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
- Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal and Sweden)
- Achraf Hakimi (PSG and Morocco)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG and Georgia)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona and Poland)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool and Argentina)
- Lautaro Martinez (Internazionale and Argentina)
- Scott McTominay (Napoli and Scotland)
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France)
- Nuno Mendes (PSG and Portugal)
- João Neves (PSG and Portugal)
- Pedri (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea and England)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich and France)
- Raphinha (Barcelona and Brazil)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal and England)
- Fabian Ruiz (PSG and Spain)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool and Spain)
- Vitinha (PSG and Portugal)
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid and Brazil)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool and the Netherlands)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt).
Conclusion
From the famous “Messi or Ronaldo” question .Modern football is pivoting into stars who have different backgrounds and achievements. Which makes the credibility of votes higher. We can witness the sheer quality of analysis done by journalists at this era due to the increased number of potential winners.
Written by: Hubaish
