Ballon d'Or Odds: Who Will Win The Award In 2025?

Manchester City midfielder Rodri added the 2024 Ballon d'Or to his impressive list of honours won in his illustrious career. 

The Spaniard had a terrific season for club and country, helping City win the Premier League for a record-breaking fourth time, while playing his part for Spain as they won Euro 2024. 

Sadly, a knee injury has ended Rodri's season, so his chances of winning it in back-to-back years are over.

His absence has certainly been felt by City, who are outside the top five following a terrible run of form from the end of October which saw them lose five games in a row for the first time under Pep Guardiola.

So, who will be named Ballon d'Or winner in 2025, based on performances from the start of August 2024 to the end of July 2025? 

The best betting sites will continue to update their odds throughout the coming months.

We take a closer look at those hoping to add the most prestigious individual award in world football to their list of achievements.

In-Form Salah Storms To Top Spot

Mo Salah’s scintillating form with Liverpool means he is the new 10/3 favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Despite being out of contract at the end of the season and no sign of agreeing a new deal soon, the Egyptian maestro is the top scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals, two more than nearest rival Erling Haaland.

Salah also tops the assists chart this season with 13, the highest across the top five European leagues.

His combined 31 goal involvements over the first 19 games of the Premier League season has broken the record previously held by former Reds forward Luis Suarez.

Salah has also scored or assisted in 12 consecutive top-flight games, the longest streak in Europe’s elite leagues, so he could not do much more to break the contract impasse.

His efforts have propelled Liverpool to the top of the table and a 20th title looks well within reach at the halfway point of the season.

Liverpool are also top of the new-look Champions League table with a perfect 18 points from six games and are the 4/1 favourites to win the competition for a seventh time.

Should the Reds win the league and European titles in the same season, Salah would have a strong case for finally getting his hands on the Ballon d’Or.

The 32-year-old winger twice finished fifth in the rankings in 2019 and 2022, but this could finally be the year he is crowned the world’s best player.

Vinicius Jr Slips Off Top Spot

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr felt much aggrieved that he did not win the award last year.

Vinicius Jr led the betting market for most of 2024, but when it became apparent that Rodri would be handed the prestigious award, it led to a boycott of the ceremony by Real Madrid officials.

He started the new season as the favourite, but Salah’s form means the Brazilian forward is now 9/2 second favourite in the Ballon d’Or odds with betting apps.

Although he has eight goals in La Liga this season, that is still only half the number scored by Robert Lewandowski, and Real Madrid are not even guaranteed to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Ballon d'Or 2025 Odds:

With two group games remaining, the European champions are in 20th spot, meaning they are still in danger of finishing outside the top 24.

Admittedly, Vinicius Jr has found the net five times in the Champions League, but he can probably wave goodbye to the Ballon d’Or if Los Blancos are eliminated during the group stage.

Real Madrid went top of La Liga on Friday with a 2-1 comeback victory at Valencia no thanks to Vinicius Jr, who was sent off for slapping goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the last 10 minutes when his side were trailing.

As things stand, he is banned for three games pending an appeal, but his hopes of landing the Ballon d’Or won’t be helped by these kind of moments.

Lamine Yamal Could Be Youngest Ever Winner 

It won't be long before Lamine Yamal's name is added to the list of Ballon d'Or winners. 

It's important to remember Yamal won't turn 18 until July, but he has already achieved so much in his short career.

The wide man helped Spain win their fourth European Championship in Germany and if he can stay fit and healthy, more glory will follow him in his career. 

Yamal has scored five times and supplied nine assists in La Liga for Barcelona already this season, plus one Champions League goal, which explains why he is 13/2 third favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

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Mbappe Moved To Madrid To Win Honours

Kylian Mbappe's move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid was one of the biggest transfers of the summer. 

After seasons of failing to win the Champions League, Mbappe will feel he can finally get his hands on the biggest prize in European club football.

The France international has got off to a solid start, scoring 10 goals for the Spanish champions in La Liga, despite no longer being the chief penalty-taker after missing a couple of spot-kicks.

Mbappe will need to make a bigger impact in the Champions League than he has so far if he is to land the Ballon d'Or for which he is priced at 7/1, up from 13/2.  

Lewandowski Still A Candidate

At 36, Robert Lewandowski's career should be moving in a downward direction, but the Poland international continues to score on a regular basis.

One reason why Barcelona have enjoyed a great start to the season is Lewandowski and his goals, including two in the first El Clasico of the season, which the Catalans won 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

The prolific marksman already has 16 goals in La Liga - five more than the next highest - and he is the top scorer in the Champions League with seven.

If Lewandowski can continue to find the back of the net and help Barca to success domestically and in Europe, then his Ballon d'Or odds of 12/1 on football betting sites will shorten.

Bellingham Back In Form

Historically, the Ballon d'Or goes to a player from a successful team and over the years, Real Madrid have been perennial winners, especially with Carlo Ancelotti in charge. 

Jude Bellingham is in his second season as a Madrid player and although he struggled in the early stages of the campaign he now looks back to his best.

The England midfielder missed a penalty at Valencia on Friday but then scored a stoppage-time winner for the 10-man European champions to make it seven goals in his last eight games in La Liga.

He also has five assists and scored what turned out to be the winner in what could prove to be a crucial 3-2 Champions League victory at Atalanta.

Bellingham was third in the 2024 voting, but for someone who writes his own scripts, he will want his name to be on that trophy sooner rather than later. 

His odds remain at 14/1, but should he continue to bang in the goals and lead Los Blancos to another Liga and European double, his name could be on the trophy.

Raphinha A Potential Winner

Since joining Barcelona from Leeds United, Raphinha has emerged as one of his side's most influential players. 

The Brazilian marked his 100th game for Barcelona in style by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

His form this season has attracted interest from other clubs across Europe, with Arsenal reportedly interested in signing him. 

The Brazilian has netted 11 goals in La Liga, provided six assists and is one of the leading scorers in World Cup qualifying, so he has certainly got off to a flying start.

If Raphinha (16/1) is to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or, then Barcelona will need to have a superb season, possibly needing to win La Liga and the Champions League.

Barca were knocked off top spot by Real Madrid in the first week of January, but they are second in the Champions League after six games, so look well positioned for the knockout stage.

Haaland's Odds Drift During City's Blip

Erling Haaland's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or are often hindered by the fact that he plays for Norway, who are unlikely to win a major tournament any time soon. 

If he is to win the Ballon d'Or, then it's more likely to happen in a year where there is no World Cup or European Championship, which often influences the winner.

There is the inaugural Club World Cup tournament in the summer of 2025, which is organised by FIFA and will carry some clout in the voting process. 

Therefore, next year's Ballon d'Or winner could be awarded to a person who has done well for their club rather than country, which gives Haaland a better opportunity to add his name to the prestigious list of winners. 

Haaland has broken all kinds of records since joining City and is averaging just under a goal a game in the Premier League. 

However, his odds have drifted from 16/1 with Bet365 during City's poor run in the league and Champions League.

Kane In The Picture

Harry Kane was criticised in the autumn by some members of the German media who felt that the Bayern Munich striker went missing in the big games.

However, the England captain is enjoying another stellar season in the Bundesliga, topping the scoring charts with 14 goals from 13 matches during which he has also supplied five assists.

In November, Kane netted his third hat-trick of the season in a 3-0 victory over Augsburg, having also bagged four in a 9-2 Champions League rout of Dinamo Zagreb - three of which came from the penalty spot.

The former Tottenham marksman was the top scorer in the German top flight last season with 36 goals and is on course to repeat the feat.

If he can lead Bayern to domestic and European glory again, 20/1 looks like a tempting price to win the Ballon d'Or.

Others with aspirations to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or include Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk (33/1).

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has scored 13 goals and provided six assists in the league this season and is 25/1 with Ladbrokes to win the most prestigious award in world football.