Who won best player at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup? Palmer grabs Golden Ball after final heroics

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup saw some outstanding individual performances in its expanded format.

Chelsea stunned Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-0 win in Sunday’s final and it came as no surprise when their players featured prominently in the post-match awards.

Each edition of the Club World Cup sees a Golden Ball awarded for the best player at the competition. For 2025, the Silver and Bronze Ball categories were scrapped and replaced by Best Young Player, Best Goalkeeper and Top Goalscorer.

The Sporting News looks at some of the standout performers from this tournament and reveals where the awards went.

MORE: A look at the prize money dished out to all 2025 FIFA Club World Cup participants

Who will win the Golden Ball at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The Golden Ball recipient almost always comes from the winning team of the Club World Cup and 2025 was ultimately no different.

Unlike previous Club World Cup editions, there were many more performances to draw upon when considering the eventual winner. In the past, the European teams only played two matches at the competition, but in the expanded edition both finalists each played seven games.

MORE: Chelsea vs. PSG in the Club World Cup final as it happened 

The standout performer for PSG through the whole of the tournament was midfielder Vitinha. Star forward Ousmane Dembele also put himself in the frame with a superb display in the semifinal demolition of Real Madrid.

Chelsea secured the upset in large part thanks to Cole Palmer‘s first-half brace. Moises Caicedo wrapped up an excellent individual tournament with a dominant showing against PSG’s all-conquering midfield.

Golden Ball

The Golden Ball is handed out to the best player at the Club World Cup.

Cole Palmer received the award after his stunning two-goal performance in the final.

Best Young Player

Despite PSG’s disappointment in the final, Desire Doue was named the young player of the tournament

Best Goalkeeper

Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez was given the accolade after shutting out a fearsome PSG attack, his third clean sheet of the tournament, having also gone unbeaten in the 2-0 semifinal win over Fluminense.

Top scorer

Although their campaign ended in a humbling defeat, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia was a breakout star with four goals to finish top of the charts.

Palmer’s final brace meant he was one of 12 players to finish on three, alongside Harry Kane, PSG’s Fabian Ruiz, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

Club World Cup Golden Ball winners