The 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings have delivered a stark reality check for Real Madrid‘s superstars, with the new Bellingham Vinicius Ballon d’Or ranking for both players representing a drastic change from their podium finishes just one year ago. The significant drop for both players reflects a difficult and trophyless season for the Spanish giants.
Vinícius Júnior learned he had finished in 16th place, while his teammate Jude Bellingham came in at 23rd. These rankings are a far cry from their 2024 placings, where Vinícius was the runner-up and Bellingham finished third. The Brazilian plummeted 14 spots, while the England international dropped a massive 20 places.
| Player | 2024 Ballon d’Or Ranking | 2025 Ballon d’Or Ranking |
| Vinícius Júnior | Second | 16th |
| Jude Bellingham | Third | 23rd |
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A reflection of a trophyless season
This massive dive in the rankings comes as a direct result of Real Madrid’s poor 2024–25 season. In what was Carlo Ancelotti’s final campaign in charge, Los Blancos failed to win a single major trophy. They finished second in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, and also suffered a disappointing exit from the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage. Without team silverware, it became nearly impossible for their stars to contend for the top individual prize.
Individual form takes a dip
The club’s struggles were mirrored in the players’ individual production. Bellingham, who was a sensation in 2023-24, saw his goal contributions drop from 36 to 27, despite making 10 more appearances. Vinícius Júnior’s form also took a noticeable dip; the winger scored only 11 league goals following what many considered a snub for the 2024 award. Although he still managed an impressive 36 goal contributions across all competitions, none were impactful enough to lead his side to a trophy.
This year’s rankings serve as a harsh lesson for both stars: individual talent alone is not enough to contend for football’s highest honors without collective success. The pressure is now immense on both Bellingham and Vinícius to rediscover their best form under new manager Xabi Alonso and lead Real Madrid back to glory.