Vinícius Júnior’s Ballon d’Or ranking has dropped in the 2025 edition, with the Real Madrid star finishing 16th on the list of contenders released ahead of tonight’s gala in Paris.

The Brazilian forward, who finished second only to Rodri in the 2024 edition, has experienced a sharp decline in standing this year.

From brightest star to fading contender

Vinícius’ drop has been widely attributed to several reasons, including – the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, unsettled contract terms, injury worries, and adjusting to life after the arrival of new manager, Xabi Alonso.

His reduced impact also coincides with Real Madrid’s failure to win either the Champions League or LaLiga, both of which dented his individual case.

A new generation takes centre stage

The 2025 shortlist shows a clear generational shift, with PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha now tipped as the leading favourites.

Vinícius, once seen as the heir to Neymar in Brazilian football, now finds himself overshadowed by rising stars such as Cole Palmer, Desire Doue, Pedri and Yamal.

His 16th-place finish places him behind the likes of Viktor Gyökeres (15th) and even Harry Kane (13th), both of whom had standout club campaigns.