The 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings took a little twist after the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup tournament in the United States on Sunday night.
DAILY POST reports that Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to win the Club World Cup final.
A first-half brace from Cole Palmer and a goal from Joao Pedro gave the Blues the victory against the French Ligue 1 champions at the MetLife Stadium.
Few players were outstanding during the competition and were rewarded with individual prize.
Palmer won the award for the Best Player of the Tournament, PSG’s Desire Doué won the Best Young Player award, Chelsea’s Robert Sánchez won the Best goalkeeper award and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia won the top goalscorer award.
However, ahead of this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, which will take place in September, talks are heating up around the top contenders for the prestigious individual prize following the conclusion of the Club World Cup.
Chelsea’s recent success in the Club World Cup has propelled at least one of their key player Palmer into the spotlight to be considered in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Prior to the Club World Cup, Palmer finished the 2024/25 season as Chelsea’s top scorer with 15 goal and 11 assists.
However, DAILY POST take a look at the top contenders emerging after the Club World Cup which had little impact on the Ballon d’Or rankings.
13. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Stats: 26 goals
Trophies: Bundesliga title
12. Pedri (Barcelona)
Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
11. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Stats: 15 goals, 11 assists, including 3 goals from Club World Cup.
Trophies: UEFA Europa Conference League, Club World Cup, Club World Cup Player of the Tournament award.
10. Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
Trophies: UCL, Ligue 1, Serie A, Coupe de France
9. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Stats: 14 goals, 11 assists
Trophies: UCL, Ligue 1, Serie A, Coupe de France
8. Desire Doue (PSG)
Stats: 15 goals, 16 assists
Trophies: UCL, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions
7. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Stats: 38 goals, 7 assists
Trophies: UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup
6. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Stats: 36 goals, 24 assists
Trophies: English Premier League
5. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Stats: 11 goals, 15 assists
Trophies: UCL, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions
4. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Stats: 21 goals, 26 assists
Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
3. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Stats: 39 goals, 25 assists
Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
2. Vitinha (PSG)
Stats: 7 goals, 6 assists
Trophies: UCL, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, Nations League
1. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Stats: 38 goals, 14 assists.
Trophies: UCL, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions.
However, speaking with DAILY POST on Monday, Cool FM’s Taiwo Babajide gave his opinion on the impact of the Club World Cup outcome on the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Babajide insisted that Dembele is the number one favourite to claim the prize ahead of other players.
“The outcome of the Club World Cup is unlikely to significantly alter the Ballon d’Or landscape. Currently, Ousmane Dembele is the favorite to win the award, thanks to his exceptional performance in the Champions League,” Babajide told DAILY POST.
“Although Cole Palmer’s impressive display in the Club World Cup final has strengthened his odds, it’s uncertain whether this momentum will be enough to shift the favour away from Dembele, who remains the strong favorite at odds.
“No Chelsea player is currently among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or,” he stated.
Also speaking with DAILY POST, Austine Akhilomen, Freelance Writer with Completesports, ruled out any possibility of Chelsea players, especially Cole Palmer contending for the Ballon d’Or.
Akhilomen argued that Chelsea players came into the picture a bit late regardless of their brilliant 3-0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup final.
“I really don’t think so considering the fact that Chelsea came into the picture a bit late regardless of their brilliant 3-0 win over PSG,” Akhilomen told DAILY POST.
“Yes Palmer did well at the Club World Cup but it is not enough to have big effect on the Ballon d’Or award.
“Chelsea players won’t be among the top three contenders. Palmer will be listed in the top 10 and that should be enough for Chelsea.
“My top contenders are Dembele, Salah, Hakimi, Mbappe, Yamal and Raphinha,” he said.
