Ousmane Dembélé has been named the best male footballer in the world for 2025 by the Guardian, beating Lamine Yamal into second place and Vitinha into third. The French winger becomes the seventh winner of the annual ranking, which is compiled from votes by a panel of experts.
The Premier League dominates the list, with a significant number of players from English clubs featuring in the top 100. The Guardian's methodology involves judges from around the world casting votes to determine the final order.
Dembélé's victory marks a milestone in his career, as he outperforms younger talents like Yamal and established stars like Vitinha. The full list includes the top 100 male players, with previous editions dating back to 2012.
In addition to the men's list, the Guardian also published a separate ranking of the top 100 female footballers for 2025, highlighting the growing recognition of women's football.
