The countdown to the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris continues, and Arsenal star Declan Rice has officially secured the 27th spot in this year’s rankings.
The England international, who played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge and their run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season, has once again been recognized among the best players in world football.
Rice was instrumental in Arsenal’s European campaign, with one of his standout performances coming in the quarter-final clash against Real Madrid, where he scored two stunning free-kicks at the Emirates Stadium. Those moments cemented his reputation as a player who can deliver on the biggest stage.
Despite this, Rice has dropped one place from last year’s ranking, slipping from 26th in 2024 to 27th in 2025.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the latest update from the Ballon d’Or voting places the following players in the 26th–30th bracket:
26th – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
27th – Declan Rice (Arsenal)
28th – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
29th – Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
30th – Michael Olise (Chelsea)
At just 26 years old, Rice still has time to climb higher in future rankings. The midfielder will be determined to build on last season’s progress, especially with Arsenal looking to push for another Premier League title and go one better in Europe.
With his leadership, set-piece threat, and consistency, Rice remains one of Arsenal’s most vital players. Gunners fans will hope that his performances this season help propel him back up the Ballon d’Or list in 2026.
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