Ballon d'Or 2025: Winner and Rankings, Pedri's Impressive Stats, Disappointing Ranking

Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele Ballon d'Or 2025 winner



The dust has settled on the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, and Ousmane Dembélé is basking in the glory of being crowned the world's best player. Meanwhile, stars like Pedri and Harry Kane might be reevaluating their strategies to break into the top 10.

Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or win seems to have been influenced by Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph...


Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or win seems well-deserved, considering his phenomenal performance in the 2024-2025 season. He led Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists in the competition. Dembele's overall stats for the season were impressive, with 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances, showcasing his growth as a complete forward under coach Luis Enrique.


Key Factors in Dembele's Success:

Team Success: PSG's domestic dominance and Champions League triumph significantly contributed to Dembélé's win.

Individual Brilliance: Dembélé's goal-scoring and assist records were exceptional, earning him the Ligue 1 top scorer award and the Champions League Player of the Season.

Tactical Versatility: Luis Enrique's decision to deploy Dembélé as a false nine proved to be a masterstroke, allowing him to flourish and dominate the sport.


While Lamine Yamal had an outstanding season, Dembélé's overall impact on the pitch and his team's success give credence to his Ballon d'Or win. The award recognizes not only individual talent but also the player's contribution to their team's achievements. In this context, Dembélé's win appears justified.



Ballon d'Or Voting Criteria

The Ballon d'Or voting criteria consist of three main areas:

1. Individual performances: Voters consider a player's decisive and impressive performances throughout the year.

2. Team performances and achievements: A player's team's success and achievements are also taken into account.

3. Class and fair play: Voters assess a player's class, sportsmanship, and adherence to fair play.


These criteria can lead to subjective interpretations, making the voting process open to debate. A more objective approach, such as awarding points based on predefined metrics, could eliminate disputes over who deserves the award.




Rodri's omission from the Ballon d'Or nominations is historic, marking the first time a previous winner hasn't been nominated the following season. The Spaniard won the award last year despite struggling with injuries, particularly a cruciate ligament rupture that limited him to just eight appearances for Manchester City. Many believe Vinicius Junior should have won the award instead, given his impressive performances. Rodri's absence from the list has sparked surprise and debate among fans and pundits.


Rodri's Achievements:

  • Ballon d'Or Winner: 2024
  • Euro 2024 Champion: Helped Spain lift the trophy
  • Premier League Champion: Contributed to Manchester City's success
  • Injury Impact: Missed most of last season due to a serious knee injury


Rodri himself had previously downplayed the importance of the Ballon d'Or, suggesting it requires significant marketing, which he believes he lacks, similar to former Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Iniesta. Meanwhile, his coach, Pep Guardiola, has expressed support for Rodri's win, stating he's the best.


Pedri's Ballon d'Or Ranking Sparks Controversy

Pedri's 11th place finish in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings has raised eyebrows, given his instrumental role in Barcelona's domestic treble success and Spain's UEFA Nations League final appearance. The 22-year-old midfielder played a crucial part in Hansi Flick's team, starting every possible game and showcasing his exceptional skills.





Pedri's Achievements:

  • Domestic Treble: Helped Barcelona win La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España
  • UEFA Nations League Finalist: Contributed to Spain's runner-up finish
  • Consistent Performances: Played 59 games for Barcelona, scoring 6 goals and providing 8 assists




Many believe Pedri was robbed of a top 10 spot, considering his impact on the pitch. He finished ahead of notable players like Vinicius Jr., Robert Lewandowski, and Jude Bellingham, sparking debate among fans and pundits.


Pedri's impressive statistics last season demonstrate his crucial role in Barcelona's success. He played 4643 minutes across all competitions, showcasing his endurance and importance to the team. Pedri's passing accuracy was exceptional, with 3647 accurate passes out of 4090, resulting in a completion rate of over 88.4% in every competition.


Key Stats:

  • Minutes Played: 4643 minutes across all competitions
  • Passing Accuracy: 3647 accurate passes out of 4090 (89.2% completion rate)
  • Possession Wins: 389 times winning possession back
  • Goals and Assists: 6 goals and 8 assists
  • Team Success: Barcelona won La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup


These numbers highlight Pedri's significant contributions to Barcelona's domestic treble triumph and their strong Champions League campaign, where they narrowly missed out on the final against Inter Milan. His consistent performances and impressive stats make a strong case for his recognition as one of the world's top players.


Raphinha's Outstanding Performance

Raphinha finished fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings, a testament to his exceptional season with Barcelona. He recorded 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 appearances, helping the team win a domestic treble, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup. Raphinha's impressive performance also saw him tie Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goal contributions in a single Champions League season with 21.


Key Stats:

  • Goals and Assists: 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 appearances
  • Champions League Record: Joint most goal contributions in a single season (21), tied with Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Awards and Recognition: La Liga Player of the Season, top scorer in the Champions League


Raphinha's fifth-place finish was notable, especially considering his consistent performances throughout the season. Neymar, a fellow Brazilian football star, even expressed surprise at Raphinha's ranking, saying “Raphinha fifth? It's a joke.” Despite not winning the Ballon d'Or, Raphinha's stats and accolades solidify his position as one of the world's top players.


Lamine Yamal's decisive performances in big games, including the Champions League and El Clásico matches against Real Madrid, showcased his exceptional skill and impact on the pitch. He took on significant responsibilities, including club captaincy in the absence of others, and delivered impressive defensive stats, winning back possession 142 times and making 22 interceptions. Yamal also participated in nearly 400 one-on-one duels, demonstrating his versatility and importance to the team.

  • Defensive Stats: 142 times winning back possession, 22 interceptions
  • One-on-One Duels: Participated in almost 400 duels
  • Big-Game Performances: Decisive in Champions League and El Clásico matches
  • Leadership: Took on club captaincy responsibilities in the absence of others


Yamal's ability to perform under pressure and contribute to the team's success in various aspects of the game makes him a standout player. His stats and performances highlight his value to Barcelona and his potential for continued growth and success in the sport.


Harry Kane's 13th Place Finish in Ballon d'Or Rankings

Harry Kane, the England captain, has won the first trophy of his career after Bayern Munich secured the Bundesliga title. However, he might feel disappointed with his 13th place ranking in the Ballon d'Or 2025. Despite his impressive performance, scoring 41 goals and providing 11 assists in his second season with Bayern, Kane fell short of expectations. His limited defensive contributions, including only 20 tackles throughout the season, might have impacted his ranking.



Kane's Achievements:

  • Bundesliga Title: Helped Bayern Munich win the league
  • Goal Contributions: 55 goal contributions (41 goals and 14 assists)
  • Consistency: Reliable performances throughout the season


Kane's ranking has sparked debate among fans, with many feeling he was unfairly snubbed. Some argue that his impressive goal-scoring record and team success should have earned him a higher spot. Despite this, Kane's achievement in winning his first career trophy is significant, and he'll look to build on this success in future seasons.


Did PSG's UCL Win Give Dembele the Edge?

Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or win seems to have been influenced by Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph. The French forward played a crucial role in PSG's European campaign, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists in the competition. His performances earned him the Champions League Player of the Season award, which likely contributed to his Ballon d'Or victory.


Lamine Yamal, despite his exceptional season with Barcelona, finished second in the Ballon d'Or rankings. The 18-year-old's impressive performances and influence on the pitch were undeniable, but Dembélé's Champions League success and overall impact on the season appear to have given him the edge.




The 18-year-old's stats are impressive, with 18 goals and 21 assists, including some stunning strikes in the Champions League. He also created 90 chances, showcasing his exceptional playmaking ability. While his passing accuracy of 78-79% might be seen as slightly below expectations, it's still commendable for a player of his age.

  • Goal Contributions: 18 goals and 21 assists

  • Chance Creation: 90 chances created
  • Passing Accuracy: 78-79%



Given the high standards he's set, there might be some disappointment with his passing accuracy, but overall, his numbers are astonishing and indicative of his immense talent and potential.


Lamine Yamal's impressive defensive stats include 29 interceptions and 207 times winning the ball back, showcasing his well-rounded skills on the pitch. He's also had a standout season with 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 appearances for Barcelona. The teenager's creativity, goal-scoring ability, and tactical intelligence helped the Catalan club secure the domestic treble.


Kopa Trophy Win

Yamal's exceptional performances earned him his second consecutive Kopa Trophy, making him the first player to win the award twice. The Kopa Trophy recognizes the best-performing male player under 21 globally. At 18, Yamal's back-to-back wins cement his status as one of world football's brightest young stars.


Individual Accolades

  • Kopa Trophy Winner: 2024 and 2025
  • Top 10 Ballon d'Or Ranking: Finished second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings
  • Exceptional Stats: 0.69 expected goals per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 1% of La Liga for goal contribution.


Dembele's Worthy Ballon d'Or Win
Ousmane Dembélé's Ballon d'Or victory is well-deserved, considering his instrumental role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic quadruple-winning season. He contributed 35 goals and 16 assists, showcasing his exceptional skill and impact on the pitch. Dembélé's performances in the Champions League were particularly impressive, helping PSG secure their first-ever European title.


Major Contributions:

  • Quadruple Success: Helped PSG win Ligue 1, French Cup, French Supercup, and Champions League
  • Goal Contributions: 35 goals and 16 assists
  • Champions League Impact: Crucial performances in PSG's European campaign


Dembele's win adds to his growing list of accolades, solidifying his status as one of the world's top players. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and contribute to his team's success makes him a worthy Ballon d'Or recipient.


Dembélé's impressive stats include 35 goals and 13 assists in 53 games, showcasing his exceptional scoring and playmaking abilities. His contributions were crucial in big matches, and his passing accuracy in Ligue 1 was notable, with an 83.2% completion rate despite often playing at a high tempo.

  • Goal Contributions: 35 goals and 13 assists in 53 games
  • Passing Accuracy: 83.2% completion rate in Ligue 1

Given his standout performances and significant contributions to PSG's success, it's hard to argue that Dembélé didn't deserve the Ballon d'Or. His stats and impact on the pitch make a strong case for his win, suggesting the voters made the right decision.


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