Ballon d'Or 2025: Favorites and everything you need to know about the prestigious ceremony | OneFootball

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Ballon d'Or 2025: Favorites and everything you need to know about the prestigious ceremony

Since its creation in 1956 by France Football, the Ballon d'Or has remained the most coveted and prestigious individual award in world football. This iconic trophy crowns the best player on the planet every year, shaping careers and the very history of the beautiful game. Sixty-nine years since its inception, the golden trophy continues to spark passionate debates and bring together the brightest stars of international football. It has honored the sport’s greatest legends, from Stanley Matthews, the first winner in 1956, to the modern exploits of Lionel Messi (8 titles) and Cristiano Ronaldo (5 titles), who have set an unprecedented standard of dominance in the history of this ultimate accolade.

Ballon d'Or 2025 favorites: A new era begins

The 2025 Ballon d'Or is shaping up to be the most thrilling and unpredictable edition in recent memory. What makes this 2025 edition unique is the total absence of former Ballon d'Or winners among the 30 nominees. With the shortlist revealed on Thursday, August 7, 2025, this 69th ceremony of the prestigious award paves the way for new faces to etch their names into football folklore.

The 30 players nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or

Ousmane Dembélé: The Parisian phenomenon and top French contender

Ousmane Dembélé stands out as the leading favorite to clinch the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The Paris Saint-Germain winger has undergone a spectacular transformation under Luis Enrique’s guidance. The 28-year-old French forward delivered an exceptional campaign after being repositioned as a central striker. His stats speak for themselves: 37 goals and 15 assists in 60 matches across all competitions. His decisive impact in PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph is the cornerstone of his Ballon d'Or candidacy. Dembélé also secured a quadruple with the Parisians (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions) and only fell short in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Chelsea. His evolution from unpredictable winger to lethal striker makes him the most credible candidate to become the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinédine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.

Ousmane Dembélé lifts the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League trophy with PSG

Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s rising star

At just 18, Lamine Yamal represents the new generation of global football. The Spanish winger from FC Barcelona turned in a dazzling season with 21 goals and 22 assists in 62 matches. A domestic treble winner (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup) and Champions League semi-finalist, Yamal could become the youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history if he prevails. Already the 2024 Kopa Trophy winner for best young player, his meteoric rise and precocious performances make Lamine Yamal one of the most exciting candidates of this edition.

Lamine Yamal hoists the 2024/25 La Liga trophy with FC Barcelona

Other serious contenders

Mohamed Salah (33) remains one of the steadiest contenders, notching 37 goals and 24 assists in 57 matches for Liverpool. The Egyptian played a pivotal role in the Reds’ Premier League triumph and continues to deliver top-class performances despite his age. According to bookmakers, he’s even the odds-on favorite at 3 to 1.

Kylian Mbappé (26), now at Real Madrid, is a serious candidate despite a rocky start to the season. With 46 goals and 7 assists in 65 matches, the French striker contributed to Real’s trophy haul (Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Super Cup) and benefits from his global profile among the frontrunners.

Raphinha (28) was also outstanding this season, tallying 38 goals and 24 assists for Barcelona and emerging as a key figure in their success. Harry Kane (32) continues to shine for Bayern Munich with 48 goals and 12 assists, confirming his legendary consistency in front of goal.

The impact of club and international achievements on the Ballon d'Or

The award’s traditional criteria value both club exploits and international performances. Ballon d'Or nominees are judged on consistency, influence in crucial moments, and their ability to elevate teammates. According to Article 4, "The Ballon d'Or is awarded based on three main criteria: 1. Individual performance and decisive, impressive character. 2. Team achievements and honors. 3. Class and fair play." Article 3 also notes, "The reference period runs from August through the following July, covering the entire season, including international competitions."

Recent Ballon d'Or results show that players who shine both for club and country generally have the edge. This season, several candidates delivered on the big international stages, making predictions tougher and the race for the title wide open. However, performances in major tournaments remain decisive for Ballon d'Or winners. The UEFA Champions League, Euro 2024, Copa América 2024, World Cup 2026 qualifiers, and the Nations League all play a role in the Ballon d'Or rankings.

The 2024-25 season has been dominated by Champions League and domestic triumphs. Paris Saint-Germain swept all before them in Europe and France: UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions. This explains the unprecedented presence of nine PSG players among the nominees (Dembélé, Donnarumma, Doué, Hakimi, Kvaratskhelia, Mendes, Neves, Ruiz, Vitinha).

At Barcelona, the domestic treble (league, cup, super cup) for Raphinha and Yamal also weighed heavily in the voting. Their domestic dominance, combined with deep Champions League runs, underscores the importance of such honors. Mo Salah, for his part, won the Premier League with Liverpool, further boosting his Ballon d'Or credentials.

The last ten Ballon d'Or winners

The Ballon d'Or winners’ list from the last decade reflects the evolution of modern football. From 2015 to 2024, the Ballon d'Or standings were dominated by Lionel Messi (2015, 2019, 2021, 2023) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2016, 2017), with notable exceptions like Luka Modrić in 2018, Karim Benzema in 2022, and Rodri in 2024. These Ballon d'Or winners defined their eras with unique playing styles and strong personalities. Modrić proved that a midfielder could rival star forwards, while Benzema was rewarded for his longevity and ability to shine in decisive moments. Rodri’s recent triumph in 2024 confirmed the growing recognition of midfielders in the modern game. The 2025 edition promises a major generational shift as new contenders rise.2024: Rodri (Spain, Manchester City) stunned the football world by beating out Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham by just 41 points. His win marked the end of the strikers’ dominance and celebrated the excellence of a defensive midfielder.2023: Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami) claimed his eighth—and likely final—Ballon d'Or, thanks to his World Cup triumph with Argentina.2022: Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid) was rewarded for his clutch Champions League performances and leadership at Real Madrid.2021 : Lionel Messi (Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain) edged out Robert Lewandowski in a controversial decision.2019: Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona) claimed his sixth trophy.2018: Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid) broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly with his World Cup and Champions League exploits.2017 and 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid) dominated both editions.2015: Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona) secured his fifth title.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony: Innovation and parity

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony is set for Monday, September 22, 2025, at the prestigious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The Ballon d'Or date was chosen to ensure all nominees could attend after the start of the new season. The event will be co-hosted by UEFA and the Amaury Group (owners of France Football and L'Équipe). This partnership strengthens the ceremony’s European and international scope while preserving the trophy’s historic French DNA.

2025 Ballon d'Or date

Revolutionary format: Full gender parity

The 2025 edition marks a historic revolution with the introduction of complete gender parity in the awards. For the first time ever, as many trophies will be given to women as to men, with three new women’s awards introduced:

Nominees for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy

This evolution reflects the growing recognition of women’s football and its extraordinary development in recent years. The ceremony will also feature the traditional Men’s and Women’s Ballon d'Or, as well as the Johan Cruyff Trophies (best coaches) and best club awards.

Voting system and award criteria

Voting is entrusted to an international jury of 100 football journalists for the men’s award (50 for the women’s), representing the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings. Each juror ranks 10 players, assigning points in descending order (15 points for first, 12 for second, and so on).The three evaluation criteria remain unchanged, in order of importance:

This methodology guarantees a balanced assessment between individual excellence and collective achievement, while upholding the sport’s core values.

A new chapter awaits

The 2025 Ballon d'Or is shaping up to be the most open and unpredictable edition in years. The showdown between Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal is capturing all the attention, symbolizing the clash between proven maturity and dazzling promise. This edition could mark the end of an era for established superstars and the rise of a new generation of talent. When the 2025 Ballon d'Or is awarded on September 22, we’ll find out who will succeed Rodri and carve their name into Ballon d'Or history.