Goal has released an updated ranking of the leading candidates for the prestigious Golden Ball award in 2025. According to the site's experts, the main favorite is Barcelona winger Rafinha Dias.
The 28-year-old player for the Catalan club and the Brazilian national team held the number one spot in the Goal ranking as of March 17.
In second place is 27-year-old forward Ousmane Dembélé from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, a World Cup winner in 2018. Rounding out the top three is Rafinha's teammate, 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, a Euro 2024 champion with Spain.
Notably, Manchester City's midfielder and Spanish international Rodri, Euro 2024 champion, won the Ballon d'Or from France Football in 2024 with 1,170 points in the voting.
