The Ballon d’Or has always been one of football’s most glamorous nights. It is the stage where the world pauses to celebrate greatness, where legends are crowned, and where careers are immortalized in golden history. Yet the 2025 edition, even before the winner has been announced, has already caused storms of anger, disbelief, and controversy across the footballing world.
As the list of players ranked between 30th and 11th was revealed, fans from Liverpool to Barcelona, from London to Madrid, erupted in fury. They took to social media to vent their frustrations, calling the rankings a “crime against football,” a “shame,” and even a “disgrace.” For many, this year’s edition is not just about who lifts the trophy but about the credibility of the award itself.
The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris may be dressed in lights and gold for Monday night’s ceremony, but outside that glamour lies a growing debate: has the Ballon d’Or lost touch with reality, or is this just the usual pre-ceremony drama that football thrives on
One of the loudest talking points came from Liverpool supporters. Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s captain, the leader of the defence that guided the Reds to their first Premier League title under Arne Slot, was ranked a shocking 28th.
For fans, this was nothing short of an insult. How could a man who marshalled a title-winning backline and played some of his best football in years be placed behind names like Fabian Ruiz or Denzel Dumfries? On X, one Liverpool fan fumed: “This is a joke. Van Dijk deserves respect. 28th is an embarrassment.”
Others argued that while Van Dijk may not have had his absolute peak season, ranking him that low undermines the consistency and influence he brought to Liverpool’s success. Some even compared it to his 2019 Ballon d’Or campaign, where he came second only to Lionel Messi, noting how far his recognition has fallen despite still being one of the world’s top defenders.
For Liverpool fans, it felt like France Football had punished their captain for his age rather than rewarded his leadership and performance
If Liverpool supporters were angry, Barcelona fans were simply outraged. Pedri, their midfield maestro, was placed in 11th spot, just outside the top 10. For many, this was the ultimate injustice.
One fan wrote: *“It’s a disgrace what they just did, a crime against world football. France Football, ask for forgiveness on your knees.”* Another couldn’t believe the rankings: *“There’s no way they’re ranking Cole Palmer ahead of Pedri. Again, SHAME!”*
Pedri, still only 22, was expected by many to be in the top 5 at the very least. He was instrumental in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph and Spain’s Euro 2024 run, controlling midfields with elegance and vision that reminded older fans of Xavi and Iniesta. To see him left out of the elite group felt, for many, like a slap in the face to Spanish football.
A third supporter was even more blunt: *“WHAT?! Definitely deserved a top 3 spot!”
The full 30th-to-11th rankings painted a confusing picture for many:
30. Michael Olise (Bayern unich)
31. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
32. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
33. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
34. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
35. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
36. Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
37. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
38. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
39. Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
40. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
41. Joao Neves (PSG)
42. Scott McTominay (Napoli)
43. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
44. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
45. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
46. Desire Doue (PSG)
47. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
48. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
49. Pedri (Barcelona)
Some of the placements looked reasonable. Harry Kane at 13 after another strong but not dominant season at Bayern made sense to most. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s role at PSG being recognized at 12 also seemed fair. But others were baffling.
Erling Haaland, who just two years ago was tipped as a future Ballon d’Or winner, slumped to 26th. Jude Bellingham, the heartbeat of Real Madrid’s midfield and a player who was once seen as a top-three candidate, only managed 23rd. And perhaps the biggest shock of all: Scott McTominay at 18th. The Scottish midfielder, who had enjoyed a surprisingly strong season with Napoli, was praised for his development, but to see him ranked above Lewandowski, Vinicius Jr, and Van Dijk left fans scratching their heads.
One tweet summed it up perfectly: *“Scott McTominay 18th, Bellingham 23rd, Van Dijk 28th. What am I even looking at?”
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Chelsea star Cole Palmer, who has made the Ballon d’Or shortlist for the first time, is reportedly in the top 10 — ahead of Pedri.
For some, Palmer’s meteoric rise is a great story. After leaving Manchester City for Chelsea, he has blossomed into their main man, scoring and assisting at a phenomenal rate. But to rank him above Pedri? That was where fans drew the line.
One Barcelona supporter raged: “Cole Palmer over Pedri is a choice lmao.” Another called it “uncalled for,” while many simply laughed in disbelief.
The irony is that Palmer himself may not even have expected to be so high in the rankings. His rise has been one of English football’s brightest tales in recent years, but the debate now is whether the Ballon d’Or should reward one brilliant season of stats or consistent world-class influence.
While the exact order remains secret until the ceremony, the names in the top 10 have already been confirmed (in no particular order):
Raphinha
Lamine Yamal
Ousmane Dembélé
Vitinha
Achraf Hakimi
Cole Palmer
Kylian Mbappé
Nuno Mendes
Mohamed Salah
Gianluigi Donnarumma
For many fans, this list itself is controversial. To see Raphinha and Nuno Mendes in the same bracket as Salah and Mbappé has raised questions. Meanwhile, the presence of three PSG players — Mendes, Donnarumma, and Vitinha — reflects the club’s Champions League triumph, but critics argue it shows too much bias towards a single team.
Liverpool fans are proud to see Mohamed Salah in the top 10 once again, a decade after he first broke into the conversation. But the omission of Van Dijk and Mac Allister from the top group has left them feeling the recognition of Liverpool’s title win has been far too low.
This year’s outrage has reoened an old wound. The Ballon d’Or has long been accused of favouritism, inconsistency, and even political bias. For years, fans argued it was a Messi-Ronaldo popularity contest. Now, in the post-Messi-Ronaldo era, many hoped it would finally reflect pure merit. But looking at the 2025 rankings, questions remain.
Is this award really about the best player in the world, or is it about narrative, hype, and media influence? Pedri at 11 and Van Dijk at 28 would suggest the latter. Fans are left wondering if performances on the pitch even matter anymore, or if the voting system has been swayed by other factors.
Despite all the drama, excitement still builds for the announcement of the winner. Will it be Kylian Mbappé, finally lifting the award he has chased for years? Could Mohamed Salah shock the world and win his first? Or will it be a PSG-heavy night, with Dembélé or Donnarumma taking the crown?
Whatever happens, one thing is clear: this year’s Ballon d’Or will be remembered not only for its winner but for the controversy that surrounded it. Fans feel betrayed, players feel undervalued, and the debate will rage long after the golden trophy has been lifted.
Because in football, glory is about more than trophies. It is about recognition, respect, and the stories written along the way. And in 2025, the story of the Ballon d’Or is one of outrage, disbelief, and the eternal clash between fans and the powers that decide football’s biggest prizes.
