Inter Milan Duo Included In 30-Player Shortlist For FIFA Ballon D’Or | OneFootball

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez and wingback Denzel Dumfries are both on the thirty-player shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

The football governing body have officially released the shortlist for the award for the best player in men’s football for the past season.

FIFA have officially unveiled the shortlist of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Last year, there were two Inter players on the shortlist. They were Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu.

The Argentine and Turkish international’s finished 7th and 20th respectively.

Inter Duo Lautaro & Dumfries Shortlisted For Ballon D’Or

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 18: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Once again, this year there are two Nerazzurri players on FIFA’s shortlist for the award.

Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez may not have won any silverware this year, as he had won the Serie A title and Copa America in 2024.

Furthermore, the 27-year-old was not as prolific in Serie A as is his usual standard. He scored just twelve goals in the Italian top flight, down from the previous campaign in which he was the division’s top scorer.

However, where Martinez really shone was in the Champions League.

Unlike in previous seasons, the Inter captain was absolutely outstanding and decisive in the knockouts of Europe’s biggest club competition.

Martinez scored decisive goals in knockout ties against Bayern Munich and Barcelona. These capped off excellent overall displays, even despite the fact that Martinez was struggling with injuries.

Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries was another player who shone for Inter in Europe.

The Dutchman was arguably Inter’s outstanding player in the semifinals against Barcelona.

Dumfries brought goals and a nearly unstoppable outlet down the right flank for Inter throughout the season.

Therefore, FIFA has decided to recognized Dumfries on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or for the first time.