Who is Most Likely to Win the Ballon d‘Or 2025?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Based on his meteoric rise to superstardom over the last few years, Kylian Mbappé is the odds-on favorite to win the 2025 Ballon d‘Or. At just 26 years old by then, the French phenom could already have an unprecedented resume that cements his status as the next all-time great.

Mbappé‘s Path to Glory

Mbappé burst onto the scenes as an 18-year-old sensation at the 2018 World Cup, becoming the youngest French player to score at the tournament since Pele in 1958. He would win the Best Young Player award as France lifted the trophy.

After securing back-to-back domestic trebles with PSG by 2025, Mbappé will have won the Ligue 1 top goalscorer award an astounding 7 times. To put that into perspective, the only players to have won it at least 5 times are Delio Onnis and Carlos Bianchi.

On the international stage, Mbappé could add a Euro 2024 title and Golden Boot to his trophy case. No player has ever won the World Cup, Euros, and Golden Boots at both competitions. This would put Mbappé in truly rarefied air.

In terms of individual silverware by 2025, he could accumulate:

  • 3x Ballon d’Or runner-up
  • 4x UNFP Ligue 1 POTY
  • 7x UNFP Ligue 1 Top Goalscorer
  • 1x Euro POTT
  • 1x World Cup POTT
  • 1x Euro Golden Boot
  • 1x World Cup Young POTT

The only knock on Mbappé would be his lack of Champions League success. However, he would have ample opportunity to lead PSG to their first-ever title over the next few years. If he can combine domestic, international, and continental dominance by 2025, Mbappé would have the perfect storm to secure his first Ballon d’Or.

Challengers to the Crown

Though Mbappé appears destined to win football‘s ultimate individual honor, some young superstars could play spoiler:

Erling Haaland

  • 4 straight Premier League Golden Boots would put him in uncharted territory
  • Could surpass 200 career club goals by 2025
  • Lacks international & Champions League success

Pedri

  • Poised to take over as Barcelona‘s midfield maestro
  • Key piece of newly formidable Spanish Armada
  • Would need to drastically improve goal contributions

Jude Bellingham

  • Potential to develop into a complete midfield dynamo
  • Could rack up honors if he leads Liverpool‘s revival
  • Would need to displace Mbappé on biggest stages

While their trajectories suggest future Ballon d’Or potential, Haaland, Pedri and Bellingham have ground to make up if they want to overthrow King Kylian in 2025.

Under-the-Radar Contenders

Some outsiders who could make things interesting:

Federico Valverde – the Swiss army knife for Real Madrid & Uruguay

Gavi – tenacious teenager seems destined for greatness at Barcelona

Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich’s creative prodigy taking the Bundesliga by storm

However, their time may come after 2025. They will need to accomplish feats like winning the Champions League or World Cup as the leader of their respective teams to enter the fray.

The Verdict

Given what Kylian Mbappé has achieved at just 24 years old, he is clearly on track to secure his first Ballon d’Or by 2025. By adding a Euro title, more domestic trophies, and possibly a Champions League victory to his early World Cup triumph, Mbappé would have both the individual and team honors to back up his claim.

It would take something truly special from Haaland, Pedri or another young star to dethrone the prince who is set to become the king of football. Come 2025, the Ballon d’Or will likely be hoisted high in Paris as Kylian Mbappé cements his legacy as an all-time great.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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