Who truly rules world football in 2025—youthful brilliance or seasoned resilience?
Ousmane Dembele has once again surpassed Lamine Yamal, claiming the top spot in the Guardian’s prestigious list of the world’s best players for 2025, published on December 20. This marks the third consecutive time Dembele has edged out Yamal in major individual competitions, reinforcing his dominance in a year full of personal triumphs.
According to the Guardian’s Top 10 ranking, Dembele leads the pack, followed by Yamal, Vitinha, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, and Pedri. The order itself sparks debate: while Yamal represents the promise of the next generation, Dembele’s consistency suggests that experience and maturity still hold sway in the modern game.
In 2025 alone, Dembele defeated Yamal in three separate award races, including FIFA The Best and the Ballon d’Or. These victories highlight not only his technical brilliance but also his ability to rise under pressure. Meanwhile, the rankings show Cristiano Ronaldo at 51st and Lionel Messi at 34th. Their decline is hardly surprising—both legends have stepped away from European football, with Messi competing in the United States and Ronaldo playing in Saudi Arabia. Their lower positions reflect a natural transition as the sport shifts toward new stars.
The Guardian’s voting panel is composed of journalists worldwide, alongside former greats such as Demetrio Albertini, Bebeto, Leonardo Bonucci, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Philipp Lahm, and Juninho Pernambucano. Renowned coaches like Okan Buruk, Magnus Mar Einarsson, and Cleber Xavier also contribute, ensuring a diverse perspective in the selection process. This broad jury underscores the credibility of the ranking, though it also invites discussion about how different backgrounds influence choices.
Since 2018, Tri Thức – Znews has consistently participated in the Guardian’s “Best Player of the Year” vote. Their ballot placed Dembele first, followed by Yamal, Hakimi, Kane, and Vitinha. This alignment with the final results suggests that Dembele’s rise is not just media hype but a widely recognized reality.
The Guardian itself, founded in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian and renamed in 1959, has long been one of the UK’s most respected newspapers. With a daily circulation of over 110,000 copies, its influence remains strong. The fact that such an institution crowns Dembele above Yamal adds weight to the debate: is this the peak of Dembele’s career, or the beginning of a new era where he redefines football’s hierarchy?
