The 2025 Ballon d’Or results are out, and while Europe’s elite clubs dominate the upper echelons, Premier League fans have plenty to analyze. The rankings highlight both the strengths of the league’s stars and the challenges they face in a global competition where narrative, continental success, and standout moments often weigh heavily.

Here’s a Premier League–focused breakdown of what went right, what surprised, and how England’s top-flight stars fared.

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The Final Top 10

The 2025 Ballon d’Or top 10 looked like this:

1. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) – 1,380 points
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 1,059 points
3. Vitinha (PSG) – 703 points
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 657 points
5. Raphinha (Barcelona) – 620 points
6. Achraf Hakimi (PSG) – 484 points
7. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 378 points
8. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 211 points
9. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) – 172 points
10. Nuno Mendes (PSG) – 171 points

From a Premier League perspective, Salah and Palmer are the main standouts, with other league stars appearing lower down but still making their presence felt in the global conversation.

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Premier League Stars in the 2025 Ballon d’Or

Mohamed Salah – 4th Place

Salah’s top-five finish cements his status as one of the world’s elite and one of the Premier League’s best ever wingers. His season was packed with goals, assists, and key performances that kept Liverpool competitive both domestically and in Europe. While he didn’t make the podium, his placement reflects the high regard in which he is held internationally.

Factors that likely influenced his ranking include:

• Competition from players with bigger continental or international achievements.
• The narrative element of awards, which often favors breakthrough stories or major trophies.
• The overall distribution of attention toward European superclubs.

Even so, 4th is a strong showing and confirms Salah’s global impact.

Cole Palmer – 8th Place

Palmer’s breakthrough into the top 10 is one of the most interesting Premier League storylines. As a young player, he earned recognition for key moments and consistent performances, even if Chelsea didn’t dominate Europe. His presence signals that voters are watching not just established stars, but emerging talent capable of influencing games at the highest level.

Other Premier League stars further down the list included Erling Haaland (26th), Declan Rice (27th), and Virgil van Dijk (28th). Their lower rankings underscore the difficulty for defenders and less flashy players to break into the top tier of voting.

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Themes and Takeaways

1. Premier League Stars Remain Relevant

Salah and Palmer’s high placements show that English top-flight players are still prominent in global discussions, but breaking into the very top requires both standout performances and European recognition.

2. Attackers Dominate the Rankings

Forward players fill most of the top spots, with midfielders and defenders largely underrepresented, highlighting the bias toward goal-scoring contributions in Ballon d’Or voting.

3. Youth and Narrative Matter

Palmer and other rising talents demonstrate how storylines, breakthrough campaigns, and memorable moments can elevate a player’s standing even if their club doesn’t win trophies.

4. Continental Success Carries Weight

Players from clubs that excel in the Champions League or have high international visibility dominate the rankings. Premier League players may need strong European campaigns to contend for the top spots.

5. Room for Debate

Fans will question whether Salah could have climbed higher or if Palmer’s breakout season deserved more recognition. These debates show that Ballon d’Or voting is influenced by both objective achievement and narrative perception.

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Final Thoughts

The 2025 Ballon d’Or confirms that the Premier League continues to produce players capable of competing on the world stage. Salah’s consistency, Palmer’s breakout, and the presence of other league stars illustrate the depth of talent in England.

At the same time, the rankings show the challenges of standing out against continental superstars and the importance of narrative, European success, and high-profile moments. For fans, it’s a reminder that the league’s stars are not only competing domestically but also vying for recognition in the global spotlight.

As the 2025–26 season unfolds, Premier League supporters will watch closely to see which players can rise in next year’s Ballon d’Or conversation, knowing that consistency, big moments, and international impact all play a part in claiming football’s most prestigious individual award.

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