The 2025 Ballon d’Or awards are back, set to honour the best footballers from around the world in both men’s and women’s categories. The 69th edition of the prestigious ceremony will take place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.
The annual awards, organised by France Football since 1956, celebrate individual excellence in football. Winners are selected by a panel of respected journalists and experts who evaluate players based on performance, achievements, and overall contribution to the game.
This year’s Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees include standout players such as Ousmane Dembélé, who led Paris Saint-Germain to a historic UEFA Champions League win and a domestic treble, silencing critics with his goals and assists. Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal also made the list, following a treble-winning season and a previous Kopa Trophy win.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah earned a nomination after guiding his club to the Premier League title and finishing as the league's top scorer, despite falling short in Europe. Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay was recognised for helping the Italian club to a league title just a year after leaving Manchester United. Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi also made the list after an impressive season with PSG.
On the women’s side, England’s Chloe Kelly was nominated after scoring the winning penalty in the Euro 2025 shootout against Spain. Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie earned a Women’s Yashin Trophy nomination for her standout performances in the Women’s Super League with Brighton and for helping Nigeria to a record 10th WAFCON title. Reigning Ballon d’Or Féminin holder Aitana Bonmatí and Brazil’s legendary forward Marta were also nominated.
The awards also feature other categories: the Kopa Trophy for best young player, Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, Johan Cruyff Trophy for best coach, and Club of the Year—each awarded in both men’s and women’s divisions.
Notable clubs like Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea, and Arsenal dominate the nominations across different categories, reflecting their strong performance over the past season.
The full list includes 30 men and 30 women for the Ballon d’Or, alongside nominees in all other categories, making this a highly competitive and anticipated edition.
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