“Ballon d’Or 2025 Rankings: Mbappe Climbs to Second Behind Salah [Top 5 Revealed]”

The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is heating up, with Kylian Mbappe making a significant leap into second place behind current frontrunner Mohamed Salah. This year’s rankings mark a new era in football, as legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are absent from the top spots for the first time since 2003.

With Salah leading the charge and Mbappe closing in, the competition is fiercer than ever. Here’s a breakdown of the top five contenders and their standout performances this season.

1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah is the clear favorite to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, thanks to a sensational season with Liverpool. The Egyptian forward has been in the form of his life, scoring 30 goals and providing 22 assists in all competitions.

Salah’s contributions have been pivotal in Liverpool’s dominance this season. The Reds are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League with just 12 fixtures left and are also strong contenders for the Champions League title.

2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
After a slow start at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe has exploded into form, netting 28 goals so far this season. The French superstar is on track to break Iván Zamorano’s record for the most goals in a debut season at Madrid.

Mbappe’s electrifying performances have propelled him into second place in the Ballon d’Or rankings, making him a serious challenger to Salah’s lead.

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Lamine Yamal, the young Spanish sensation from Barcelona, has been a revelation this season. His creativity, technical skills, and goal-scoring ability have earned him a spot in the top three, showcasing the bright future of Spanish football.

4. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Another Barcelona star, Raphinha, has been instrumental in the team’s success this season. The Brazilian winger’s pace, dribbling, and eye for goal have made him one of the most exciting players in Europe, securing his place in the top five.

5. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Harry Kane continues to prove why he’s one of the best strikers in the world. Since joining Bayern Munich, the English forward has been a consistent goal-scoring threat, contributing significantly to the team’s domestic and European campaigns.

Why This Matters
The 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings reflect the changing landscape of football, with a new generation of stars stepping into the spotlight. Salah’s dominance, Mbappe’s resurgence, and the emergence of talents like Yamal signal an exciting future for the sport.

For fans, this year’s race is a testament to the depth of talent in modern football, with multiple players deserving of the prestigious award.

What’s Next?
As the season progresses, the battle for the Ballon d’Or will intensify. Will Salah maintain his lead, or will Mbappe close the gap? With the Champions League and domestic leagues reaching their climax, every performance counts.