The football world’s most prestigious night is set to unfold in Paris as the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony promises drama, surprises, and potentially a seismic shift in football’s hierarchy. With 30 stellar nominees announced for September 22, 2025, this year’s race could be the most competitive in recent memory.
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Quick Facts: Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Ceremony Date | September 22, 2025 |
| Venue | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris |
| Men’s Nominees | 30 players announced |
| Women’s Nominees | 30 players competing |
| Organizers | France Football & UEFA |
| Young Stars | 10 Kopa Trophy nominees |
| New Categories | Enhanced women’s recognition |
The UEFA and France Football partnership has elevated this year’s ceremony to unprecedented heights, with enhanced recognition across all categories making it football’s most comprehensive celebration.
Barcelona’s Golden Generation Takes Center Stage
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline is Barcelona’s remarkable representation. With Lamine Yamal leading the Kopa Trophy race for best young player, alongside established stars like Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Raphinha in the main category, the Catalan giants are experiencing a renaissance that’s captured global attention.
At just 18, Yamal has already proven he belongs among football’s elite, making him the youngest serious Ballon d’Or contender in recent memory. His inclusion alongside seasoned veterans like Lewandowski creates a fascinating contrast between youthful brilliance and experienced mastery.
The Women’s Revolution Continues
The women’s category showcases unprecedented depth and global reach. Aitana Bonmatí, the defending champion, faces fierce competition from an international field that includes stars from five continents. This expansion reflects football’s growing global footprint and the increasing quality of women’s football worldwide.
Premier League’s Global Influence
The Premier League’s dominance is evident with multiple representatives across all categories. From Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, England’s top flight continues to attract and develop world-class talent.
This geographical diversity in nominees reflects modern football’s global nature, where talent flows freely across continents and leagues, creating the most competitive Ballon d’Or field in years.
Breaking Down the Contenders
The goalkeeping categories feature fascinating battles too. Emiliano Martinez’s World Cup heroics with Argentina face competition from established stars like Alisson Becker and rising talents like David Raya, showcasing the position’s evolving importance in modern football.
Full list of Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees
Men’s Yashin Trophy nominees announced
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa and Argentina)
- Alisson Becker (Liverpool and Brazil)
- Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal and Morocco)
- Lucas Chevalier (Lille and France)
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid and Belgium)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG and Italy)
- Jan Oblak (Atlético Madrid and Slovenia)
- David Raya (Arsenal and Spain)
- Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest and Belgium)
- Yann Sommer (Internazionale and Switzerland)
Women’s Yashin Trophy nominees announced
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC and Germany)
- Cata Coll (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Hannah Hampton (Chelsea and England)
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton and Nigeria)
- Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal and the Netherlands)
Men’s Kopa Trophy nominees announced
- Pau Cubarsi (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille and France)
- Désiré Doué (PSG and France)
- Estevao (Chelsea and Brazil)
- Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid and Spain)
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal and England)
- Rodrigo Mora (Porto and Portugal)
- João Neves (PSG and Portugal)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
- Kenan Yildiz (Juventus and Türkiye)
Women’s Kopa Trophy nominees announced
- Michelle Agyemang (Arsenal and England)
- Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid and Colombia)
- Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea and the Netherlands)
- Claudia Martinez Ovando (Club Olimpia and Paraguay)
- Vicky Lopez (FC Barcelona and Spain)
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees announced
- Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona, France)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG, Italy)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
- Desire Doue (PSG, France)
- Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan, Netherlands)
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Guinea)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal, Sweden)
- Achraf Hakimi (PSG, Morocco)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG, Georgia)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, Argentina)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
- Scott McTominnay (Napoli, Scotland)
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France)
- Nuno Mendes (PSG, Portugal)
- Joao Neves (PSG, Portugal)
- Pedri (Barcelona, Spain)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
- Raphinha (Barcelona, Brazil)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
- Fabian Ruiz (PSG, Spain)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool, Germany)
- Vitinha (PSG, Portugal)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees announced
- Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England)
- Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia)
- Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
- Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea, France)
- Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal, Spain)
- Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich, Germany)
- Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit, Italy)
- Steph Catley (Arsenal, Australia)
- Melchie Dumornay (Lyon, Haiti)
- Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current, Malawi)
- Emily Fox (Arsenal, USA)
- Cristiana Girelli (Juventus, Italy)
- Esther Gonzalez (Gotham, Spain)
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona, Norway)
- Patri Guijarro (Barcelona, Spain)
- Amanda Gutierres (Palmeiras, Brazil)
- Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
- Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich, Denmark)
- Lindsey Heaps (Lyon, USA)
- Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, England)
- Marta (Orlando Pride, Brazil)
- Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (Arsenal, Norway)
- Ewa Pajor (Barcelona, Poland)
- Clara Mateo (Paris FC, France)
- Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)
- Claudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain)
- Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)
- Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea, Sweden)
- Caroline Weir (Real Madrid, Scotland)
- Leah Williamson (Arsenal, England)
The 2025 Ballon d’Or promises to be a watershed moment in football history, with a perfect blend of established superstars and emerging talents competing for sport’s most coveted individual prize.
Stay updated on all Ballon d’Or developments and ceremony coverage through our football awards section and live updates hub.
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