2025 Ballon d’Or Awards: Anticipation Builds in Paris
The prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to unfold tonight in Paris, as football’s brightest stars eagerly await the announcement of this year’s winner.
Event Details
Taking place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 22, with festivities commencing at 21:00 CET (7 PM BST).
Favorites and Nominees
Ousmane Dembélé, a standout player from Paris Saint-Germain, alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, are seen as the frontrunners for this year’s accolade. However, the nominee list boasts an array of elite talents, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Raphinha, Yamal’s teammate, both of whom could put up a strong challenge.
Nominee List
The following players have been nominated, listed in alphabetical order:
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain/Manchester City)
- Désiré Doué (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands, Inter)
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea, Borussia Dortmund)
- Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden, Sporting CP/Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Napoli / Paris Saint-Germain)
- Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Barcelona)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina, Liverpool)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
- Scott McTominay (Scotland, Napoli)
- Nuno Mendes (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- João Neves (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Michael Olise (France, Bayern)
- Cole Palmer (England, Chelsea)
- Pedri (Spain, Barcelona)
- Raphinha (Brazil, Barcelona)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
- Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands, Liverpool)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Florian Wirtz (Germany, Leverkusen/Liverpool)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
Historical Context
Lionel Messi currently holds the record for the highest number of Ballon d’Or awards, having secured eight between 2009 and 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five victories from 2007 to 2017. Other players who have won the award multiple times include Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, and Michel Platini, each with three, while Ronaldo, Franz Beckenbauer, and Kevin Keegan have lifted it twice.
Should Yamal, Salah, Dembélé, or Raphinha emerge victorious, it would signify a historic first for them.
Notable Non-Winners
Throughout the years, several exceptional players have missed out on this coveted title, highlighting the competitiveness of the award. Some notable names include Thierry Henry, Andrés Iniesta, Neymar, Dennis Bergkamp, David Beckham, Xavi, Frank Lampard, Franck Ribéry, Wayne Rooney, and Steven Gerrard, among others.
