Cole Palmer equals Ballon d’Or 14-year-old record

Chelsea’s midfield star Cole Palmer etched his name into the history of the Ballon d’Or after earning a place among the world’s elite. The 22-year-old England international was ranked eighth in the final standings, an impressive feat considering the competition and circumstances.

Palmer stood out not just for his rise in form but also for breaking a long-standing record. He became the first player since 2011 to secure a spot in the top ten of the Ballon d’Or rankings without featuring in the UEFA Champions League.

The last player to achieve such a distinction was Neymar, who back in 2011 was dazzling fans at Santos in Brazil, before his blockbuster career with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and later, a high-profile switch to Saudi Arabia.

Palmer’s inclusion signals not only his individual brilliance but also the growing recognition of players who shine outside Europe’s premier club competition. His performances for Chelsea throughout the season — combining creativity, consistency, and clutch moments — made him one of the standout names in global football.

Who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or?

This year’s coveted Ballon d’Or trophy went to Ousmane Dembélé, who was crowned the world’s best player for the very first time in his career.

The Paris Saint-Germain winger played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic run last season, inspiring the French giants to their first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph. Alongside that, he lifted the Ligue 1 title, capping off the most successful campaign of his career.

In the final rankings, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal finished in second place, underlining his meteoric rise as one of football’s brightest talents. Vitinha, Dembélé’s PSG teammate, secured third place, while Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah came in fourth, continuing to cement his legacy as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

The 2025 edition of the Ballon d’Or will be remembered not just for Dembélé’s crowning glory but also for Palmer’s unexpected and history-making rise — a reminder that the path to football greatness isn’t confined to the Champions League alone.