The race for the Ballon d’Or 2025 has taken an unexpected twist after several football heavyweights failed to make the top 10 shortlist.

Erling Haaland (26th), Vinícius Jr. (16th), Robert Lewandowski (17th), and Harry Kane (13th) were all confirmed outside the elite bracket as France Football unveiled positions 30–11 on Monday.

The revelation means none of the prolific forwards, who have dominated Europe in recent years, will contend for the crown at tonight’s ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.

PSG appear to be the big winners so far, with Fabian Ruiz (24th), Joao Neves (19th), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (12th) and Désiré Doué (14th) all making the list, underlining the club’s stronghold in world football.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Pedri (11th) narrowly missed out on the top 10, as anticipation builds over who will succeed last year’s winner.

Ballon d’Or 2025 — Positions 30–11:

30 — Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)

29 — Florian Wirtz (Liverpool, Germany)

28 — Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)

27 — Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)

26 — Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)

25 — Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan, Netherlands)

24 — Fabian Ruiz (PSG, Spain)

23 — Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)

22 — Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, Argentina)

21 — Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Guinea)

20 — Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)

19 — Joao Neves (PSG, Portugal)

18 — Scott McTominay (Napoli, Scotland)

17 — Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)

16 — Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid, Brazil)

15 — Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP, Sweden)

14 — Désiré Doué (PSG, France)

13 — Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)

12 — Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG, Georgia)

11 — Pedri (Barcelona, Spain)

The spotlight now turns to the Ballon d’Or top 10, with PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé among the favourites to take the golden ball.