The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by the French news magazine France Football. It is one of the oldest awards in football and the whole world regards it as the most prestigious individual award for football players. France Football has been rewarding this award to the best player of the year since 1956.

Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri has clinched the 2024 Ballon d'Or award. Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior and the young England midfielder Jude Bellingham, both of whom play for Real Madrid, finished 2nd and 3rd in the final ranking, respectively. 

The Spanish midfielder has won the award for the first time and has become the first-ever Manchester City player to win this prestigious award. 

Here are the players who clinched the top three positions in the last 5 years in the final ranking of the coveted award.

Read Also | Ballon d'Or 2024 Winners

Ballon d'Or winners list of top three positions in last 5 years:

1. Ballon d'Or 2024

1. Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
2. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid
3. Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)

2. Ballon d'Or 2023

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
2. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
3. Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

3. Ballon d'Or 2022

1. Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
2. Sadio Mane (Senegal, Liverpool)
3. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)

4. Ballon d'Or 2021

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)
2. Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern Munich)
3. Jorginho (Italy, Chelsea)

5. Ballon d'Or 2019

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
2. Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands, Liverpool)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Juventus)

Hello and welcome to our LIVE blog coverage of the highly anticipated La Liga clash between Levante and FC Barcelona for the 2025-26 season.

I’m Barnali Debnath, bringing you minute-by-minute updates, expert commentary, and all the latest news from this exciting encounter.

Both teams are eager to make a strong statement early in the campaign, with Levante aiming to leverage their home advantage and Barcelona looking to assert their dominance with their star-studded lineup.

Stay tuned here for live scores, tactical insights, key moments, and post-match analysis as the drama unfolds on the pitch.

Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a neutral fan, this is your go-to spot for comprehensive coverage of Levante vs FC Barcelona!

As the most popular sport, football is watched and played by people all over the country, ranging from professional leagues, to youth teams, and even families in their yards. But how much do you really know about your favourite footballers? Do you know many famous footballers actually don't use their real names in their professional careers?

Many footballers' real names are distinctly different from what are effectively stage names they use for their professional careers. Many figures even choose to go by relatively shorter names to make it easier for people all over the world to remember them by.

Let’s go ahead and dive into some real names of famous footballers you probably don't know.

Also Read: 15 football records that might ever be broken

Real Names of Famous Footballers

1. Dele Alli

• Real Name- Bamidele Jermaine Alli

Dele Alli's full name is Bamidele Jermaine Alli. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by "Dele Alli". Dele Alli used to be a big name in the round leather game some years back. When he was 20, he was already considered as English football’s biggest rising star.

2. Raphinha

• Real Name- Raphael Dias Belloli

Raphinha's full name is 'Raphael Dias Belloli'. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by Raphinha. Raphinha is known for his skills in dribbling, pace, and creativity on the field. He currently plays as a winger for Leeds United in the English Premier League.

3. Moises Caicedo

• Real Name- Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo

Caicedo's real name is  'Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo'. He is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for the English club Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion and for the national team of Ecuador. He is a versatile player with ability to control the tempo of the game.

4. Cole Palmer

• Real Name- Cole Jermaine Palmer

Cole Palmer's full name is 'Cole Jermaine Palmer'. He is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. The English footballer plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

5. Kaka

• Real Name- Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

Kaka is arguably one of the defining footballers of his generation. The Brazilian was the last player to win a Ballon d'Or before the decade-long duopoly between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kaka has several major honours to his name, including a FIFA World Cup, a UEFA Champions League, and an endless list of individual awards.

6. Van Gaal

• Real Name- Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal

Van Gaal's full name is Aloysius Paulus Maria 'Louis' van Gaal. To some, He's one of the best managers of the past two decades, willing to sacrifice style for substance and flair for formality. To others, he’s an unnerving disciplinarian, an expert at alienating his players and fans. Whatever side of the fence you fall, few will doubt that Louis van Gaal is one of the most pragmatic managers in the modern game.

7. Fikayo Tomori

• Real Name- Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola Tomori

Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori is an English professional footballer known for his defensive skill as a center-back, currently playing for Serie A club AC Milan and the England national team.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Real Name- Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Cristiano Ronaldo aka Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is still plying his trade in the professional game for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. However, he is already considered one of the greatest players of all time. Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards in his illustrious career, which is a record only bettered by a certain Argentine forward.

Also Read: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World [2025]

9. Bukayo Saka

• Real Name- Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka

Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team. He is often hailed as one of the greatest football players in the world. 

10. Lamine Yamal

• Real Name- Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, also known as Lamine Yamal, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. 

11. Pepe

• Real Name- Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira

Former Real Madrid star Pepe is quite commonly regarded as one of the best and most aggressive defenders of his time. The centre-back is still playing European football at the age of 38, and put in a string of magnificent displays in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese rolled back the years against Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus with a breathtaking showing to knock them out of the UCL.

In 2025, some of the world’s top athletes are earning huge amounts of money through their sports, brand deals and businesses. These athletes come from football, basketball, golf and other popular games. Their earnings include salaries, match winnings and endorsements from big companies. Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world and see how much they are earning.

Also Read: Women in Sports: Highest-paid women athletes in the world [2025]

10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World

10. Kevin Durant | $101.4M

Kevin Durant’s Suns may not have made the playoffs, but his financial game stayed elite. His total earnings combine a $51.4 million salary with $50 million in off-court earnings through Boardroom Media and investments in Paris Saint-Germain.

He even has a soon-to-debut Netflix docuseries. His tequila brand, real estate moves, and a collaboration with Fanatics round out a sharp portfolio.

9. Shohei Ohtani | $102.5M

Though his Dodgers salary is deferred, Shohei Ohtani still walked away with $2.5 million in earnings plus postseason bonuses. But the reason he made it to this top-earners list is his headlining brand power.

Out of the total $102.5 million, $100 million came from endorsement deals across Japan and the U.S. That includes New Balance, Seiko, Beats by Dre, and a record-breaking Topps trading card sale.

8. Karim Benzema | $104M

The first footballer to enter the top 10, and for the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, most of Karim Benzema's earnings have come from his hefty salary from his contract with Al-Ittihad, where he earns over $2 million a week, resulting in a $100 million annual salary. 

Sponsors like Adidas remain loyal, even as he embraces a quieter lifestyle far from the European spotlight. Rumors now swirl about a possible shift to Major League Soccer as the 2026 World Cup nears.

7. Juan Soto | $114M

Juan Soto shattered expectations after signing a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, even by baseball’s high-spending standards. His on-field take hit $109 million. And thanks to the buzz he generated, the Mets’ ticket sales surged following his signing. 

At just 26, Juan’s popularity and endorsements by the likes of Call of Duty and top Dominican brands have made him baseball’s financial poster boy, earning $114 million this year.

6. LeBron James | $133.8M

LeBron James has amassed $133.8M, appearing in the sixth position. After more than two decades in the NBA spotlight, LeBron is still making history, not just on the court but also in his bank account.

While his Lakers stint earned him $48.8 million in salary, the larger story is off-court. His production company, SpringHill, is scaling up through a major merger, and he inked a deal to become the first athlete turned Ken doll.

5. Lionel Messi | $135M

Although he is the second-highest paid soccer player, Lionel Messi only ranks as the fifth-highest paid athlete. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner brought home $135 million.

To millions of people, Messi will forever be soccer’s GOAT. Naturally, his arrival in Major League Soccer wasn’t a mere player acquisition for Inter Miami but a transformative event for the league’s global standing. While his $60 million salary is a substantial figure, his endorsements with Adidas and Apple, alongside his own Mas+ beverage, earn him even more, around $75 million.

Also Read: 20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League History

4. Dak Prescott | $137M

Dak Prescott, American professional football quarterback who plays for the Dallas Cowboys, earns $137 million this year. This quarterback-turned-financial-play-caller knows how to read a market as well as a defense. 

First, Prescott made history with a contract structure that paid him $127 million in salary and bonuses within 12 months. Next were endorsements with Jordan Brand and Lowe’s that added another $10 million to his name. He’s also building a gym empire in Texas via Crunch Fitness partnerships.

3. Tyson Fury | $146M

Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury's income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show named “At Home With the Furys.”

2. Stephen Curry | $156M

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry comes 2nd on the list of highest-paid athletes of the year, earning $156 million. Curry became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March this year. 

Of Curry's $156 million haul, $100 million comes from off-court dealings, including a major extension with Under Armour’s Curry Brand. He’s invested in everything from hydration startups to women’s basketball leagues. On the hardwood, he still drains threes while mentoring future stars at Davidson, where he now serves as an assistant GM.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | $275M

For the third year in a row, and the fifth time overall, Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid athlete. At age 40, the Portuguese soccer superstar is reaching new highs.

Over the past 12 months, counting both his playing salary at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr and his off-field business endeavors, Ronaldo collected an estimated $275 million before taxes and agent fees - the third-best year by an active athlete ever measured by Forbes. On that all-time list, Ronaldo is surpassed only by boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018.

Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing in Saudi Arabia these days, but he's still racking up records in Portuguese colours. Among male footballers, Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals of all time, as part of his enduring pursuit of titles and records. The 40-year-old also has most international appearances in the history of men's football after playing his 200th game for Portugal in June 2023. 

In this article, we'll look at the active football players with the most international goals.

Also Read: Messi vs Ronaldo: Who has scored the most non-penalty goals?

Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

10. Edin Dzeko | 68 goals

Edin Dzeko is one of the most underrated strikers of his generation. The Inter Milan marksman is 39 years old but is still going strong. He has won the 'Bosnian Footballer of the Year' award three successive times in his career.

Dzeko has been quite prolific for his national team. He has scored 68 goals and provided 21 assists in his international career so far.

9. Harry Kane | 73 goals

Captain Harry Kane became the first player to score two goals on his 100th appearance for England. The striker scored his 67th and 68th international goals in the second half of the Nations League at Wembley over Finland, thundering an excellent strike in off the underside of the bar, then curling in a neat finish.

He also became just the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, after Wayne Rooney (versus Slovenia in 2014) and Bobby Charlton (against Northern Ireland in 1970).

Before kick-off, Kane was presented with a golden cap to mark the achievement, and also wore golden boots during the match.

8. Luis Suarez | 69 goals

Uruguay international Luis Suarez has had an illustrious career. He won the European Golden Shoe twice in the last decade and is widely regarded as one of the best centre-forwards of the 21st century.

Suarez, who recently led Uruguay to World Cup qualification, has scored 68 goals in his international career.

7. Neymar | 79 goals

Neymar Jr. is one of the most talented footballers we have seen in the 21st century. He is a joy to watch on the football pitch and is capable of producing moments of magic on a regular basis.

Neymar is one of the most innovative forwards of the modern era. He has been absolutely phenomenal for Brazil and is now surpassed Pele's goalscoring record for Brazil (77). Neymar has scored 79 goals and for the Brazilian national team so far in his career.

6. Robert Lewandowski | 85 goals

Robert Lewandowski is currently the most prolific goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues. The Bayern Munich striker has played some of the best football of his career in recent seasons.

Lewandowski has been a cut above the rest of his national teammates throughout his career. He has been a standout performer for Poland in recent years. The 36-year-old has scored 85 goals for Poland in international football.

Also Read: Top 12 players with most hat-tricks in football in the 21st century

5. Ali Mabkhout | 85 goals

Al Jazira and UAE legend Ali Mabkhout is a clinical finisher and as well as being one of his club's best scorers. However, he is also the United Arab Emirates' top international scorer of all time. He has a total of 85 international goals to his name. 

During the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals, Mabkhout netted the only goal in a 1–0 victory over defending champions Australia, which helped his country qualify for the semi-finals. Mabkhout scored a hat-trick against Indonesia in a 5–0 win in 2019 to become UAE's all-time leading goalscorer.

4. Romelu Lukaku | 89 goals

Romelu Lukaku has been a beast in attack for Belgium's golden generation. He has consistently produced the goods for his star-studded national team and continues to do so.

Lukaku's form at club level may have fluctuated but he has maintained high standards in international football. The 32-year-old has scored 89 goals in his international career so far.

3. Sunil Chhetri | 95 goals

Sunil Chhetri is regarded as one of the best football players India has ever produced. In a career spanning over two decades, the centre-forward has won many individual as well as team accolades.

With 95 goals to his name in 154 international appearances, Chhetri is the third highest goal-scorer in international matches, only behind Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Also Read: Every Indian Team Football Coach Since 1948

Since Sunil Chhetri’s first senior professional goal for Mohun Bagan in the National Football League season (2002-03), the Indian football great has notched up many goal-scoring feats for both club and country.

2. Lionel Messi | 112 goals 

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers, has had a remarkable international career with Argentina. Messi, with 112 international goals, ranks second on the all-time top goal-scorers list, trailing only Ronaldo. Since his debut in 2005, Messi has earned 189 caps, leading Argentina to victories in the Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi can still catch Ronaldo for the record, if he plays on through to the 2026 World Cup and perhaps beyond.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 138 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, scoring 138 for Portugal since making his debut in 2003. He is also the all-time leading appearance-maker in men's international football, having played 221 games, eclipsing the previous record of 196 held by Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa against Liechtenstein on 23 March 2023, and marking the occasion with two goals. He has hit ten international hat-tricks, a record he shares with Lionel Messi.

Also Read: Every Manchester United records that may never be broken

Ronaldo broke the world record for international goals when he scored twice against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's European Qualifier in Faro-Loulé on 1 September 2021, aged 36. He surpassed the existing world-record mark set by former Iran forward Ali Daei, the first man to claim a century of international goals. Lionel Messi joined the elite group on 28 March 2023.

Lamine Yamal just created his greatest football XI of all time with Real Madrid and Barcelona legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The recently turned 18 year old teenage star has been one of the best footballers in the world currently from two seasons. 

The Spaniard had a Ballon d'Or 2025 worthy season with FC Barcelona as he helped the Catalan club regain La Liga and win a domestic treble. Not only that, he was super influential in Spain winning the Euro 2024 as he was named the best young player of the tournament.

The La Masia product has recently signed a groundbreaking contract with FC Barcelona till 2031. Moreover you will be wearing the famous No. 10 jersey of Lionel Messi from 2025-26 season. 

Yamal made an appearance on China Media Group's "Total Soccer" program and he was asked to create his greatest football XI of all-time. The youngster made an scintillating attack consisting Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine great Lionel Messi. Not only that he had four Spain legends in his lineup as most of his XI players are from La Liga giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Read Also | 10 legendary Barcelona players to wear jersey no. 10

Lamine Yamal's Greatest Football XI

Goalkeeper

Iker Casillas

With more than 400 clean sheets in his entire career Iker Casillas is one of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern football. The Spaniard was not only athletic but was brave in making decisions while pulling up some great saves for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.

Read Also | 10 great goals scored by goalkeepers

Iker Casillas is the player with second most apperances for Los Blancos and led them to many titles in his career. Not only that as he was as much a key player for Spain as he led the La Roja to their first major trophy in 44 years when they won the Euro 2008. Casillas had only conecced two goals in that entire tournameent.

Casillas won 23 major trophies in his career which includes 3 UEFA Champions League, 2 European Championships, 5 La Liga titles, and a FIFA World Cup.

Right-Back

Dani Alves

43 career trophies, the second most in football history, trophies across Europe, 280 goal contributions as a right-back and countless brave tackles, Dani Alves is surely one of the greats of the game. 

Although the Brazilian ended his career with bitter sweet experiences and cotroveries, no one can deny his ceredbilty as a footballer. 

Alves won 43 trophies in career, which had 3 Champions Leagues with FC Barcelona and 9 League titles across three leagues along with one Olympic title with Brazil.

Read Also | Reliving Barcelona's Golden Era: A Tribute to Footballing Brilliance

Center-Backs

Gerard Pique & Sergio Ramos

Here comes the two of the greatest center-backs of the modern era. Both defenders were part of the Golden generation of Spanish football where they won back-to-back three international trophies from 2008 to 2012. 

Pique, who won 39 trophies for FC Barcelona, Manchester United and Spain, had a stellar career as a defender. The FC Barcelona legend won four Champions League titles along with 9 La Liga titles, which makes him one of the most successful defenders of all-time.

Meantime, Ramos who is one of highest scoring defenders in football history is known for his performances in clutch moments. Moreover, he was crucial for Real Madrid as a leader and defender while winning four Champions League for them.

Left-back 

Marcelo

Marcelo, the Brazilian defender is one of the most loved players of the modern era. Quoted by Cristiano Ronaldo as the one of the best players he has played with, the Real Madrid legend won 5 Champions League titles and 6 La Liga, all for the Los Blancos.

Marcelo played 546 games for Real Madrid while having 58 appearences for Brazil.

Attacking mid-field

Zinedine Zidane

Now if we are talking about class, clutch moments, flair and midfield greatness, you will have to have Zinedine Zidane in your playing XI. Lamine Yamal thus had the French and Real Madrid great in his playing XI.

Zidane, the 1998 Ballon d'Or winner with Juventus, helped Franch win the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In total he won 16 major trophies in his career. 

Zidane formed a teriffic mid-field in that Galactico team in the mid 2000s with Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazario, David Beckham and Roberto Carlos. His peformance in big moments influenced Yamal chose over Barcelona legends like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets in his greatest football XI.

Zidane won only Champions League title, in which he scored in the final, against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

Read Also | Kylian Mbappe named all-time XI including Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldinho & Neymar

Neymar Jr.

Probbaly the greatest showstopper of the modern football, Neymar Jr., formed one of the greatest trios of football alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. 

The Brazilian's dribbling skill had made him one of the biggest attackers in the world which made PSG sign him for a controversial record fee of £200m. Neymar scored the most goals for his country, Brazil while raking up goals for teams like FC Barcelona, PSG and Santos.

Read Also | MSN vs BBC: Rivalry of football's greatest trio in stats

Lionel Messi

The greatest playmaker in football history, Lionel Messi was a no-brainer in Lamine Yamal's greatest football XI of all-time. With 46 trophies, Messi is the player with most trophies in football history. Moreover, the Agrentine is the player with most goal contributions in football history. 

El calendario solidario de la @FundacioFCB 2008 en colaboración con @sport protagonizado por Leo Messi, Lamine Yamal y otros jugadores del primer equipo. 🤩

Una acción social para recaudar fondos para UNICEF y para los programas de protección de la infancia de la Fundación Barça… pic.twitter.com/PHqBhEYGaT

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 10, 2024

The 8-time Ballon d'Or winner, just like Lamine Yamal himself, was a La Masia product. Not only that, he was the one who had early connection with Yamal, in a once-in-a-generation photos for UNESCO, where Messi was seen holding a toddler Lamine Yamal.

Messi, who has the record of most non-penalty goals in 21st century, scored the most goals for FC Barcelona and Argentina and surely will be there in everyone's all-time football XI. 

Right Wing

Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho's presence on the right wing proves how much Lamine Yamal is influenced with Brazilian style of football. Ronaldinho, the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner was one of the most eye-catching footballers of his time. 

The former FC Barcelona legend had the flair, style and skill which made even the opponents appreciate him. 

However his off-field life shoretned his carrer, which could have become more legendary. He won 11 major trophies including one Champions League and one FIFA World Cup.

Read Also | Top 12 players with most hat-tricks in football in the 21st century

Left Wing

Cristiano Ronaldo

The greatest goalscorer of the world with 938 goals and counting for his clubs and country combined, is a must in any World XI. Ronaldo, who started as a winger at Manchester United, became a goal scoring machine at Real Madrid. 

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has won 36 major trophies in his career, including 5 Champions League titles and one European Championships.

Ronaldo's pace, agression, and will to score goal is an asset for any team and looks like Yamal knows that too.

Striker

Ronaldo Nazario

Now, here is the ultimate striker. The finishing skill, goal scoring ability, flair, agression, shooting and the ball control - all of these makes Ronaldo Nazario the ultimate striker. 

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner is the youngest winner of the award, when he won it in 1997 while playing for Inter Milan, after a successful 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Read Also | The greatest football XI as per Ronaldo Nazario: Check out the team

Ronaldo won 18 major trophies in his career and is the only player on this list two have played for both Ral Madrid and FC Barcelona. However, he is the only player not to win the Champions League which he has compensted by winning two FIFA World Cup titles.