Ballon d’Or: ‘King of America’ Wins Top Prize

Giorgian Daniel De Arrascaeta Benedetti was Flamengo’s “guy” who ended 2025 with a total of six cups.

The Uruguayan midfielder remained throughout the season. And secured first place in the OneFootball Ball.



The award, made by Brazilian journalists from OneFootballlists the best performing players throughout 2025 in Brazil, considering all competitions.

See below who the other ten finalists were:

2nd – Kaio Jorge, Cruzeiro striker

3rd – Vitor Roque, Palmeiras striker

4th – Matheus Pereira, Cruzeiro midfielder

5th – Léo Pereira, Flamengo defender

6th – Reinaldo, left-back from Mirassol

7th – Rayan, Vasco striker

8th – Flaco López, Palmeiras striker

9th – Jorginho, Flamengo midfielder

10th – Thiago Silva, Fluminense defender


Top scoring season of CAREER ⚽

After four years at Cruzeiro, Arrascaeta arrived at Flamengo in 2019.

And he was one of the team’s highlights, along with Gabigol and Bruno Henrique, scoring 18 goals and contributing 19 assists.

Then came 2025 and he did even more using Zico’s mythical 10 for the first time.

Arrasca ended the season with 25 goals and 20 assists.

A total of 45 direct appearances over 64 games.

Performance that made him one of the finalists for the “King of America” with Messi (Inter Miami) and Adrián “Maravilha” Martínez (Racing).


😯 What a difference, huh?

Arrasca’s 2025 becomes even more “absurd” compared to the last season.

Last year he had good numbers, securing a “double-double” thanks to ten goals and ten assists.

However, he suffered from physical problems, playing 43 games.

There were only 15 appearances in the Brasileirão-2024 (less than one round).

This year, the red-black number 10 played 33 games in the competition.

Flamengo knew how to measure their presence on the field. And he made all the difference.


🤔 Biggest foreigner in Brazilian football in the Century?

Several athletes from other countries have shone in Brazil since 2001. For example, Petkovic, D’Alessandro, Tévez, Conca, Seedorf and Suárez.

Arrascaeta, who has been operating in the country since 2015, has been collecting cups.

He already had two Brazilian Cups (2018 and 2019) and a Mineiro with Raposa.

And he reached the mark of 19 titles with Flamengo.

Account that includes three Libertadores, three Brasileirãos and two Copas do Brasil.

Would he be the best foreigner in Brazilian football in the Century? Give your opinion in the comments!



📸 Rodrigo Valle – 2025 Getty Images

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Marcus Cole

Marcus Cole is a senior football analyst at Archysport with over a decade of experience covering the NFL, college football, and international football leagues. A former NCAA Division I player turned journalist, Marcus brings an insider's understanding of the game to every breakdown. His work focuses on tactical analysis, draft evaluations, and in-depth game previews. When he's not breaking down film, Marcus covers the intersection of football culture and the communities it shapes across America.

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