The 2025 Ballon d’Or conversation has heated up following Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final. Cole Palmer’s standout performance, which earned him the Best Player of the Tournament award, has propelled the young Englishman into the Ballon d’Or top 10 rankings.

Palmer, who ended the season with 15 goals and 11 assists for Chelsea—including three crucial goals in the Club World Cup—now sits 11th in the rankings. However, many experts believe this late surge won’t be enough to seriously challenge the favourites for the prestigious individual prize.

At the top of the list, PSG’s Ousmane Dembele remains the frontrunner thanks to his stunning tally of 38 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, coupled with winning the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Trophee des Champions.

Other major contenders include Barcelona’s prolific duo Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, PSG’s versatile full-back Achraf Hakimi, and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.

Football analyst Taiwo Babajide told ESSENTIAL NEWS that despite Palmer’s heroics, Dembele is still the clear favourite. “The outcome of the Club World Cup is unlikely to significantly alter the Ballon d’Or landscape. Dembele remains the man to beat, primarily because of his performances in the Champions League,” he said.

Sports writer Austine Akhilomen echoed this view, adding, “Chelsea arrived on the scene a bit late. Palmer’s showing was impressive, but it’s not enough to disrupt the frontrunners. I expect him in the top 10, which is still a huge achievement.”

With the Ballon d’Or ceremony set for September, all eyes will be on whether Dembele can maintain his grip on the race—or if another contender might just pull off a late surprise. Either way, it promises to be an exciting countdown to football’s biggest individual award.