Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win inspires Vitinha’s bid for the 2025 Trophy
Spanish midfielder’s triumph over Vinícius Júnior serves as a blueprint for PSG star’s campaign
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, set for September 22, will crown the best player of the last European season. While forwards like Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Mohamed Salah dominate the headlines, Vitinha has emerged as the dark horse and he might just have Rodri to thank for it.
Midfielders Making Their Mark
Rodri’s win in the 2023–24 edition, where he beat Vinícius Júnior, showed that Ballon d’Or voters are willing to recognize players who are the heartbeat of their teams. Much like the Manchester City star’s instrumental role during their historic season, Vitinha was central to Paris Saint-Germain’s first-ever Champions League title, alongside Dembélé and Nuno Mendes, and their domestic dominance in France.
Comparing the Numbers
Rodri (2023–24): 50 matches, 9 goals, 15 assists — thriving in Pep Guardiola’s high-press system, dictating play and striking at the right moments.
Vitinha (2024–25): 59 matches, 8 goals, 5 assists — plus 64 tackles and 38 interceptions, showcasing his box-to-box brilliance under Luis Enrique.
Vitinha’s influence extended beyond Paris. He was a driving force in Portugal’s Nations League triumph, proving himself on both club and international stages.
The Competition
While Dembélé remains Enrique’s favorite for the award, Yamal and Raphinha are also in contention. Yet, Vitinha’s unique profile as the only midfielder among the main nominees combined with PSG’s historic European success could give him the edge.
If history repeats itself and voters again reward midfield dominance, the Portuguese playmaker could follow in Rodri’s footsteps and lift football’s most prestigious individual award.
