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Gattuso’s 2025 Pick Sparks Debate: Mbappé First, Salah Third, Dembele Wins The Best

17 December 2025

Gattuso’s 2025 Pick Sparks Debate: Mbappé First, Salah Third, Dembele Wins The Best
Mbappé leads Gattuso’s 2025 picks, with Salah third and Dembele winning the Best Player award.

Overview

According to a sports report, Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's national team coach, revealed his selections for FIFA's The Best Player 2025.

French star Ousmane Dembélé, who shone for Paris Saint-Germain last season, won the Best Player award after playing a pivotal role in the club's campaign.

PSG also clinched the Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the French Super Cup, while reaching the Club World Cup final.

Gattuso's Vision

Football Italia notes that Gattuso had a completely different view of the year's achievements. He placed Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé first, with Vitinha of PSG second.

In third place he chose Egyptian international Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.

Additionally, Donnarumma, the former PSG keeper and current Manchester City shot-stopper, voted for the Best Goalkeeper and gave first place to Wojciech Szczęsny, who has returned from retirement to play for Barcelona.

For Donnarumma's list, the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer of Inter Milan was second, and David Raya of Arsenal third.

Punchline 1: If Mbappé is first, did Gattuso borrow a calculator or just a crystal ball from the PSG trophy cabinet?

Punchline 2: Salah in third proves even the best lists have their sense of humor—maybe the coach just wanted to keep things spicy.

Author

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Gattuso rank first for The Best Player 2025?

Kylian Mbappé.

Where did Mohamed Salah place in Gattuso's list?

Third place.

Who did Donnarumma name as the top goalkeeper?

Wojciech Szczęsny.