Who stands out as the premier men's football player of 2025?
As the year draws to a close, it’s evident that 2025 has been remarkable for numerous football stars. From promising young players making waves to seasoned veterans proving their enduring talent, BBC Sport takes a closer look at some of the most outstanding figures in men’s football over the past year.
But here's where it gets interesting: You have the opportunity to cast your vote at the end of this article for who you believe deserves the title of the best player this year.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Harry Kane, the captain of the England national team, has showcased exceptional form in 2025, demonstrating his scoring prowess with Bayern Munich. The 32-year-old forward has netted an impressive 60 goals across all competitions for both club and country this year. While this achievement is remarkable, it still falls short of the all-time record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, held by Lionel Messi, who famously scored 91 goals back in 2012.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has made significant headlines with his extraordinary performances. After playing a pivotal role in Spain's victory at Euro 2024 last year, he has continued to excel in 2025. So far this season, he has tallied seven goals and eight assists in 14 La Liga matches. In the first half of the year, he achieved an impressive 11 goals and 10 assists for his club and country combined.
Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain)
Ousmane Dembele kicked off 2025 in spectacular fashion, scoring 15 goals in his initial eight games. By the end of the 2024-25 season, he had accumulated a remarkable 35 goals in 53 appearances—his best scoring season to date. His outstanding performances earned him his first Ballon d'Or, and while his goal tally may not be as high this season, it has undoubtedly been a stellar year for the French forward.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Not selecting Erling Haaland as your Fantasy Premier League captain would be a bold move, given the Manchester City striker’s sensational scoring ability this season. At only 25 years old, he has already scored 25 goals in 24 matches this season and was equally formidable for Norway during their World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring 16 goals in eight games to help his nation secure a spot in the tournament for the first time since 1998.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Although Cole Palmer has faced challenges this season due to injuries limiting his playtime, he still shined brightly at the summer’s Club World Cup, where he was instrumental for Chelsea. He played a crucial role in helping the Blues return to the Champions League this season, delivering two vital assists in the Conference League final against Real Betis and being named the player of the tournament at the Club World Cup. Palmer, at just 23 years old, contributed three goals and two assists, leading all players with five goal involvements.
Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain)
Given that Paris St-Germain clinched the Treble, it’s no surprise that several of their players feature prominently on this list. While goals and assists often grab the spotlight, 23-year-old Nuno Mendes has established himself as one of the world’s top left-backs through his consistent high-level performances at full-back for PSG.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a summer switch from PSG to Manchester City, was recently honored as FIFA's best men's goalkeeper for 2025. The Italian international had an outstanding year, winning the Champions League for the first time along with three domestic trophies during his time at PSG. Now at City, he has become a vital part of Pep Guardiola’s squad, which is currently positioned second in the Premier League and fourth in the Champions League.
Pedri (Barcelona)
Pedri, now 23, arguably had one of the finest seasons of his career in 2024-25, contributing significantly to Barcelona's domestic treble victory. He led the top five European leagues with 254 recoveries and emerged as one of the top chance creators, crafting 70 opportunities for his teammates last season. With injury troubles seemingly behind him, he continues to play a crucial role for Barcelona, helping them maintain their lead in La Liga over fierce rivals Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
The year 2025 has been prolific for Kylian Mbappe, who has racked up 59 goals across all competitions for Real Madrid. This impressive tally matches the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2013 for the most goals scored in a calendar year.
Vitinha (Paris St-Germain)
While the role of a defensive midfielder may not always attract the same glamour as attacking positions, Vitinha, aged 25, has certainly proven himself worthy of consideration among the best players in the world this year. Often compared to the legendary Andres Iniesta, Vitinha possesses exceptional technique and positional awareness, allowing him to dominate matches from the midfield for Paris St-Germain.
