Ballon d’Or 2025 & Beyond: Rising Football Stars Who Could Dominate the Next Decade

The Next Generation of Ballon d’Or Contenders: Who Will Rule Football in the 2030s?

Football never stands still, new generations of talent constantly rise through the ranks, composed to test the dominance of current stars and reshape the game’s future.

The 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees are the focus right now and plenty of eyes are already turning to the rising wonderkids and young stars who look set to become the sport’s next legendary figures.

From Barcelona’s teenage wonderkids to Liverpool’s latest strategic mastermind, these players aren’t just creating waves for their selves, but developing into football future icons.

Rising Stars Making Their Mark in 2025

Lamine Yamal – Barcelona & Spain
Lamine Yamal, at 17 years old, is not just a rising star but a key player for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team; playing with maturity and skills better than his age.

Lamine Yamal is a natural playmaker and gifted with exceptional dribbling, sharp creativity, and also strong eyes for goal. He has been nominated for both the 2025 Ballon d’Or and the Kopa Trophy.

His performances have been so remarkable that many are already hailing him as Barcelona’s next Lionel Messi.

Arda Güler – Real Madrid & Turkey

Formerly dubbed the ‘Turkish Messi,’ Arda Güler has turned promise into performance in Madrid. His balance, vision and ability to unlock defences have been key to Real Madrid’s success this season. At just 20, he’s showing the temperament of a veteran.

Warren Zaïre-Emery – PSG & France

Despite his youth, Warren Zaïre-Emery has been a reliable and undisputed starter for both PSG and the French national team, his leadership and maturity have secured him a regular place in both starting elevens.

He is composed in high-pressure moments and formidable in challenges, his leadership qualities are rare for a player his age.

Future Ballon d’Or Winners in the Making

Although Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal lead the race for the 2025 award. The following names are strong favourites to lift football’s biggest individual prize in the years to come:

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) –

He is a complete midfielder, who tackles more like a defensive rock, creates like a playmaker and scores like a striker. His maturity and game intelligence make him a reliable Ballon d’Or candidate.

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) –

He is already a global superstar with a World Cup medal. Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid could see him dominate the award for years, his blend of speed, skill, and killer instinct is unmatched.

Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) –

He has transformed from an inconsistent talent into a genuine superstar, his incredible pace, two footed dribbling and consistent clinical touch were key to PSG’s historic treble.

Which included a first ever Champions League title and Dembélé’s leadership in that final, and his role as the team’s primary offensive threat, have made him a leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Raphinha (Barcelona) –

He has been on fire for Barcelona, establishing himself as a masterclass forward with an eye for goal and for creating chances.

He is a key player in Barcelona’s double winning (La Liga and Copa del Rey) this season, the Brazilian winger has been scoring and assisting at an outstanding form.

His performances in the Champions League, where he was the joint top scorer, have solidified his place as a genuine threat for future Ballon d’Or awards.

Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) –

A nightmare for defenders, Vinícius has evolved into one of football’s deadliest wingers. If he maintains his current development, the Ballon d’Or is a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if.’

Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) –

After tearing up the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz now has the stage of the Premier League to showcase his creativity. Liverpool’s attacking play will revolve around his vision and technical brilliance.

IMPACTOTRENDING’S VIEWS: The Changing of the Guard

The 2020s have been a transitional era. As legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo wrap up their careers.

Rising stars are stepping into the spotlight, these players don’t just have talent but they have the mental strength, tactical adaptability and big game mindset to dominate world football for the next decade.

The next Ballon d’Or winner might be decided in Paris this year, but the 2030s already have their champions-in-waiting.

FAQ – Future Ballon d’Or Stars

1: Who is the youngest Ballon d’Or nominee in 2025?
Lamine Yamal, is the youngest nominee.

2: Which rising star is most likely to claim the Ballon d’Or in the next five years?
Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior

3: Which club has the most future Ballon d’Or contenders?
Real Madrid has more future Ballon d’Or contenders.