In 2025, a series of eye-catching results and breakthrough performances rewrote football’s headlines worldwide. From surprise wins against elite clubs to inspiring runs in FIFA World Cup qualification, teams across every continent delivered moments that sparked new debates and shifted the sport’s momentum. At the heart of those storylines were players whose match-winning displays not only lifted their clubs to trophies but also defined the season on a global stage. Many of these standout performers helped their sides claim silverware at different levels — domestic leagues, continental competitions, and cup finals — and their individual contributions have pushed them into contention for end-of-year honours.
With the Ballon d’Or race now decided, attention turns to The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025, where players are celebrated for influence, consistency, and game-defining impact.
This year’s shortlist blends established superstars and breakout talents — including the electric form shown by Ousmane Dembélé — and promises a fiercely contested vote.
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 will take place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, with a live broadcast starting at 20:00 local time.
As football’s premier annual celebration, the ceremony brings together the game’s biggest stars, managers and coaches to honour standout achievements across categories such as Best Men’s Player, Best Women’s Player, Best Coach and Best Goalkeeper.
Expect in-stadium drama, exclusive nominee interviews and highlight reels that recap a year of defining moments — from club triumphs and Champions League nights to breakthrough international performances.
Fans worldwide can watch the event via official FIFA channels and partner broadcasters, making the Awards a must-see global showcase of the Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 talent.
Below, we profile the top contenders whose 2025 form makes them strong candidates for The Best FIFA awards.
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 vs Ballon d’Or
The debate between The Best Awards and the Ballon d’Or has always been a constant in world football, and 2025 was no different. This year, Ousmane Dembélé completed the Ballon d’Or race with a landmark season, delivering decisive performances that placed him firmly among the elite.
With the Ballon d’Or chapter now closed, the focus shifts to The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025, where fans and experts alike are eager to see which players will emerge as the top contenders based on their influence, trophies, and overall impact throughout the year.
The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2025: Top Contenders
The race for The Best FIFA Men’s Player is wide open, with multiple elite athletes competing for recognition. Here’s a detailed look at the main contenders:
| Player | Club | Country | Key Stats & Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain | France | 37 goals & 15 assists in 2024/25; Champions League winner; 8 goals in CL knockout rounds |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain | Barcelona’s creative spark; La Liga & Copa del Rey winner; Goals in CL knockouts |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | Egypt | 29 Premier League goals + 18 assists (47 contributions); Golden Boot & Player of Season |
| Harry Kane | FC Bayern Munich | England | 22 goals for Bayern; Key to 16-game winning streak; Preparing for 2026 World Cup |
| Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | France | La Liga top scorer; European Golden Shoe winner; 13 goals in 11 La Liga games |
| Raphinha | Barcelona | Brazil | Vital to Barça’s attack; Double-digit goals & assists; Champions League contributor |
| Pedri | Barcelona | Spain | La Liga title winner; Copa del Rey champion; Spain’s UEFA Nations League final starter |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea | England | FIFA Club World Cup best player (2 goals + 1 assist in final); 3 goals, 2 assists in tournament |
| Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid | Brazil | 2024 winner; consistently top 10 ranked; La Liga & European highlights |
| Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain | Morocco | World-class wingback; 5 goals in 2024/25; constant defensive & attacking threat |
| Vitinha | Paris Saint-Germain | Portugal | Adidas Silver Ball award; Pivotal in PSG’s Champions League triumph |
Why Dembélé Leads the Predictions in Best FIFA Football Awards 2025
Ousmane Dembélé is the standout favorite based on his extraordinary 2024/25 season with PSG. The French forward delivered a historic campaign that included:
- Champions League Glory: Led PSG to their first Champions League title, scoring 8 goals in the knockout stages with crucial contributions in both the semi-final against Arsenal (1 goal, 2 assists) and the 5-0 final victory over Inter Milan
- Historic Goal & Assist Tally: 37 goals and 15 assists across all competitions—among the best single-season outputs in modern football
- Coach’s Faith: Manager Luis Enrique shifted Dembélé into a centre-forward role, capitalizing on his energetic movement, slick dribbling, and clinical finishing.
- Big-Match Performances: Consistently delivered in decisive moments, making him the standout performer during PSG’s double-winning campaign
Notably, even fellow contender Kylian Mbappé has publicly stated that Dembélé deserves the award, telling French media, “If it were me, I’d take it to his house.”
Lamine Yamal: The Historic Teenage Sensation
At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has cemented his place among football’s elite. His achievements this season:
- Barcelona’s Creative Hub: Central to Barcelona’s La Liga and Copa del Rey successes under manager Hansi Flick
- Goals in Knockout Rounds: Scored in Champions League decisive moments, including a goal against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey
- UEFA Nations League: Helped Spain reach the Nations League final
- Historic Young Player Status: At 18, his scoring and assisting records rival players twice his age
Mohamed Salah: Premier League Dominance
Mohamed Salah delivered a historically dominant Premier League season in 2024/25. His record-breaking achievements:
- 47 Goal Contributions: 29 goals + 18 assists—equaling the Premier League record for combined contributions
- Golden Boot Winner: Top scorer across the Premier League
- Player of the Season: Named Liverpool’s standout performer, despite the club’s inability to win major European trophies
The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2025: Bonmatí’s Three-Peat
Aitana Bonmatí is the overwhelming favorite to win The Best FIFA Women’s Player for the third consecutive year. The Barcelona midfielder’s 2024/25 achievements:
- Historic Third Ballon d’Or: Won her third consecutive Ballon d’Or in September 2025, becoming the first female player ever to achieve this feat
- Champions League Excellence: Named 2024/25 Champions League Player of the Season with 4 goals and 5 assists (competition-high)
- UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: Named Player of the Tournament after helping Spain reach the final
- Dual Elite Status: A key player for both Barcelona (Women) and the Spanish national team, recording 19 goals and multiple assists during the evaluation period
The Best FIFA Coaches 2025.
Luis Enrique (PSG) leads the men’s coaching category after winning the Champions League. Other strong contenders include:
- Enzo Maresca (Chelsea): Won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in his first season
- Hansi Flick (Barcelona): Led Barcelona to La Liga and Copa del Rey titles
- Mikel Arteta (Arsenal): Consistent title challenger in the Premier League
- Arne Slot (Liverpool): Guiding Reds back to European prominence
For women’s coaching, favorites include Sarina Wiegman (England) after winning UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea) who achieved a domestic treble, and Jonatan Giráldez (Olympique Lyon).
The Best FIFA Goalkeepers 2025
Eight goalkeepers are nominated, with Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) and Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) among the leading contenders. Other nominees:
- Alisson Becker (Liverpool): Key to Liverpool’s modern success with world-class positioning and reflexes
- Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa): Historic penalty-saving abilities
- Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich): Continues as an elite German shot-stopper
- David Raya (Arsenal): Consistent Premier League performer
- Yann Sommer (Inter Milan): Swiss excellence with 7 Champions League shutouts
- Wojciech Szczęsny (Barcelona): Recent addition to Barcelona’s squad
Other Award Categories
FIFA Puskás Award (Best Goal): Nominees include Arsenal’s Declan Rice (stunning Champions League free-kick vs. Real Madrid) and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal (curling effort that clinched La Liga title).
The Best FIFA XI: Top players from all clubs compete for selection into the official team of the year.
The Ceremony Details
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 will take place at Fairmont Katara Hall in Doha, Qatar, on December 16, 2025, the eve of the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and Flamengo.
The event will be broadcast live on FIFA.com and will feature 800 guests, including FIFA officials, legends, and international representatives.
Power Rankings Consensus
Based on recent analysis and voting trends here are the list of the Best FIFA Football Awards 2025:
- Ousmane Dembélé — Overwhelming favorite with Champions League glory and record-breaking stats
- Lamine Yamal — Strong second with historic young player credentials
- Mohamed Salah — Historic Premier League season keeps him in the conversation
- Harry Kane — Bayern Munich’s consistent excellence
- Kylian Mbappé — Elite status but fewer major trophies than Dembélé
The 2025 awards celebrate football’s new era with younger talents taking center stage alongside established superstars. Neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo appears on any nominee lists, marking a genuine generational shift in the sport.
