Live Tonight: The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place on September 22, 2025, at 8 PM BST (12:30 AM IST) in Paris, featuring 30 men’s nominees led by favorites Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal competing for football’s most prestigious individual honor.
Football’s biggest night is here! The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with PSG’s Champions League triumph and Barcelona’s La Liga success creating a fascinating battle between established stars and emerging talents.
Table of Contents
When & Where to Watch Ballon d’Or 2025
Ceremony Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 22, 2025 (Monday) |
| Time | 8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET / 12:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France |
| Host | France Football & UEFA |
How to Watch Worldwide
- India: Live on SonyLIV
- United Kingdom: Free streaming on ballondor.com/en/videos
- United States: CBS Sports
- Global: Official Ballon d’Or website streaming
2025 Ballon d’Or Men’s Award: The 30 Nominees
Top Favorites & Betting Odds
| Player | Club | Country | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ousmane Dembélé | PSG | France | Favorite |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain | 2nd Favorite |
| Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | France | 5/1 |
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | England | 8/1 |
| Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid | Brazil | 10/1 |
Complete Men’s Nominees List
Premier League Representatives:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool/Netherlands)
La Liga Stars:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
- Pedri (Barcelona/Spain)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona/Poland)
- Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
PSG Powerhouse:
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG/France)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
- Achraf Hakimi (PSG/Morocco)
- João Neves (PSG/Portugal)
- Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)
Other Notable Nominations:
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
- Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal/Sweden)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter/Argentina)
Why Ousmane Dembélé Leads the Race
Champions League Hero
Historic Achievement: Dembélé played a crucial role in PSG’s maiden Champions League victory, something that eluded superstars like Neymar, Messi, and Mbappé during their time in Paris.
Statistical Dominance:
- 49 goal contributions in 53 appearances (35 goals + 14 assists)
- 14 goal contributions in Champions League triumph
- Key performances: Semifinal goal vs Arsenal, 2 assists vs Inter in final
Expert Endorsements
- Gareth Bale: “It’s hard to see anyone else… he’s transformed them into trophies”
- Kylian Mbappé: “My choice is clear: I vote for Dembélé”
- Rodri (2024 winner): “PSG has been the team of the season”
Lamine Yamal: The Young Phenomenon
Breaking Records at 17
Historical Context: If Yamal wins, he would become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner since Ronaldo in 1997, marking a potential shift toward youth in football’s highest honor.
Barcelona’s La Liga Triumph:
- Instrumental in Barcelona’s La Liga title success
- 97 open-play chances created (3rd highest in La Liga)
- Consistently compared to Messi for his dribbling and vision
The Messi Factor
With Barcelona not having a Ballon d’Or winner since Messi in 2021, Yamal represents the club’s best chance to reclaim the prestigious award.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025: Leading Contenders
Top Women’s Nominees
| Player | Club | Country | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aitana Bonmatí | Barcelona | Spain | Defending Champion |
| Alexia Putellas | Barcelona | Spain | 2x Winner (2021, 2022) |
| Lucy Bronze | Chelsea | England | European Experience |
| Barbra Banda | Orlando Pride | Zambia | African Star |
Barcelona Dominance
With multiple nominees from Barcelona’s women’s team, including defending champion Aitana Bonmatí and two-time winner Alexia Putellas, the Catalan club looks set to continue their dominance in women’s football.
All Other Awards at Ballon d’Or 2025
Kopa Trophy (Best Young Player U21)
Men’s Nominees:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain) – Favorite
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona/Spain)
- Estêvão (Chelsea/Brazil)
- João Neves (PSG/Portugal)
- Kenan Yildiz (Juventus/Turkey)
Women’s Nominees:
- Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid/Colombia)
- Vicky López (Barcelona/Spain)
- Michelle Agyemang (Brighton/England)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
Men’s Contenders:
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
- Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
- Alisson Becker (Liverpool/Brazil)
- David Raya (Arsenal/Spain)
Women’s Contenders:
- Cata Coll (Barcelona/Spain)
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC/Germany)
- Hannah Hampton (Chelsea/England)
Special Awards
Gerd Müller Trophy: Top scorer from the previous season Socrates Award: Best humanitarian work by a footballer Club of the Year: Men’s and Women’s categories Coach of the Year: Including Arne Slot, Hansi Flick, Sonia Bompastor
Key Storylines to Watch
1. End of an Era?
With Messi and Ronaldo no longer in European competition, 2025 could definitively mark the beginning of a new generation leading world football.
2. PSG’s Historic Season
PSG’s first-ever Champions League victory provides compelling narratives for multiple nominees, particularly Dembélé and Donnarumma.
3. Youth vs. Experience
The battle between 17-year-old Yamal and established stars represents football’s eternal generational transition.
4. Real Madrid’s Disappointment
Despite having multiple nominees, Real Madrid’s trophyless season significantly hurts their candidates’ chances.
Voting Process & Criteria
How Winners Are Chosen
- Jury: 100 specialized football journalists (one from each top FIFA-ranked nation)
- Criteria: Individual performance, team achievements, fair play
- Timeline: Based on 2024-25 season (Aug 1, 2024 – July 13, 2025)
Key Factors
- Individual Performance: Decisive and impressive character
- Team Success: Major trophies and achievements
- Fair Play: Sporting conduct and professionalism
Historical Context & Significance
Recent Winners
- 2024: Rodri (Manchester City)
- 2023: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- 2022: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
- 2021: Lionel Messi (PSG)
Statistical Leaders
- Most Wins: Lionel Messi (8)
- Second Most: Cristiano Ronaldo (5)
- Youngest Winner: Ronaldo (21 years, 1997)
What to Expect Tonight
Ceremony Highlights
- Red Carpet: Global football stars arriving in Paris
- Award Presentations: Multiple categories throughout the evening
- Speeches: Winner’s acceptance and tribute videos
- Performances: Musical entertainment between awards
Drama & Surprises
Following last year’s controversy when Real Madrid boycotted after Vinícius Jr. lost to Rodri, this year’s ceremony promises its own dramatic moments, especially with the tight race between Dembélé and Yamal.
Bottom Line: A Historic Night Awaits
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony represents a pivotal moment in football history. Whether Ousmane Dembélé’s Champions League heroics or Lamine Yamal’s prodigious talent prevails, tonight will crown a new chapter in football’s greatest individual honor.
Key Predictions:
- Men’s Winner: Ousmane Dembélé (slight favorite over Yamal)
- Women’s Winner: Aitana Bonmatí (defending champion)
- Young Player: Lamine Yamal (overwhelming favorite)
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Champions League winner)
Why It Matters: This ceremony doesn’t just crown the world’s best players—it shapes football’s narrative for the next generation. With traditional powerhouses facing new challenges and young talents emerging globally, the 2025 Ballon d’Or will define who leads football into its next era.
Don’t miss the live ceremony tonight at 8 PM BST on your preferred platform. History will be made in Paris!
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