Some of football’s biggest stars have made the shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or — the game’s highest individual accolade.
Over the years, legends like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Johan Cruyff have claimed the iconic golden ball, with Messi leading the all-time list with eight titles — three more than Ronaldo.
Last year, Spanish midfielder Rodri made history by becoming the first Manchester City player to win the award. His triumph followed an incredible season in which he lifted the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup with City, and later played a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.
The 2025 edition sees a star-studded 30-man shortlist revealed, with elite performers from across Europe and beyond in contention.
Full List of 2025 Ballon d’Or Nominees
1. Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona, France)
2. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG, Italy)
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
4. Desire Doue (PSG, France)
5. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan, Netherlands)
6. Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Guinea)
7. Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
8. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal, Sweden)
9. Achraf Hakimi (PSG, Morocco)
10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG, Georgia)
12. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)
13. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, Argentina)
14. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
15. Scott McTominay (Napoli, Scotland)
16. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France)
17. Nuno Mendes (PSG, Portugal)
18. Joao Neves (PSG, Portugal)
19. Pedri (Barcelona, Spain)
20. Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England)
21. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
22. Raphinha (Barcelona, Brazil)
23. Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
24. Fabian Ruiz (PSG, Spain)
25. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
26. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
27. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
28. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool, Germany)
29. Vitinha (PSG, Portugal)
30. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Men’s club of the year nominees
• Barcelona
• Botafogo
• Chelsea
• Liverpool
• Paris St-Germain
The Johan Cruyff trophy nominees
The Johan Cruyff trophy is awarded to the best male coach, whether at club or national level.
• Antonio Conte (Napoli)
• Luis Enrique (PSG)
• Hansi Flick (Barcelona)
• Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
• Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Men’s Yashin trophy nominees
The Yashin trophy is awarded to the best male goalkeeper.
• 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 (Atletico Madrid and Slovenia)
• David Raya (Arsenal and Spain)
• Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest and Belgium)
• Yann Sommer (Inter Milan and Switzerland)
Men’s Kopa trophy nominees
The Kopa trophy is awarded to the best male player under the age of 21.
• Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona and Spain)
• Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille and France)
• Desire Doue (PSG and France)
• Estevao (Chelsea and Brazil)
• Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid and Spain)
• Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal and England)
• Rodrigo Mora (Porto and Portugal)
• Joao Neves (PSG and Portugal)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
• Kenan Yildiz (Juventus and Turkey)
Top Contenders for the 2025 Crown
Among the front-runners to succeed Rodri are PSG teammates Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, who played pivotal roles in the club’s domestic league triumph and Champions League success.
Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah is also a strong candidate after an incredible season where he netted 29 goals and provided 18 assists, breaking the Premier League record for most goal involvements in a single campaign.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Scott McTominay, now thriving at Napoli, are other standout names. The Scottish midfielder enjoyed a dream debut season in Italy, helping Napoli secure the Scudetto and earning the Serie A Player of the Year honour.
When Will the Winner Be Announced?
The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be revealed on Monday, September 22, during a glamorous ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Who Has Won the Most Ballon d’Or Titles?
Here’s a rundown of footballers with multiple Ballon d’Or wins:
• Lionel Messi – 8: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
• Cristiano Ronaldo – 5: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
• Michel Platini – 3: 1983, 1984, 1985
• Johan Cruyff – 3: 1971, 1973, 1974
• Marco van Basten – 3: 1988, 1989, 1992
• Franz Beckenbauer – 2: 1972, 1976
• Ronaldo Nazario – 2: 1997, 2002
• Alfredo Di Stefano – 2: 1957, 1959
• Kevin Keegan – 2: 1978, 1979
• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 2: 1980, 1981
