The 2025 Ballon d’Or Gala is set for Monday, September 22 in Paris, with football’s biggest stars competing for the sport’s most prestigious individual award. Mohamed Salah chases history, Ousmane Dembélé enters as the frontrunner, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal adds youthful excitement, making this year’s ceremony a potential turning point after the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
When and Where Is the Ceremony?
The gala takes place on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. The event begins at 21:00 SAST.
Two hours to go! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/BDxjoho7uE
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 22, 2025
What Awards Will Be Handed Out?
Beyond the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or, several other prestigious honours will be awarded on the night, including:
- Kopa Trophy – Best young player
- Yashin Trophy – Best goalkeeper
- Gerd Müller Trophy – Top scorer
- Johan Cruyff Trophy – Best coach
- Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year
- Socrates Award – Social and humanitarian contributions
Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees 2025
The 30-man shortlist features a blend of established superstars and rising talents:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), João Neves (Benfica), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Pedri (Barcelona), Raphinha (Barcelona), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Salah Chasing History
Among the leading names is Mohamed Salah, who enters his sixth nomination equalling the Liverpool club record alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard. Despite never winning the award, Salah’s prolific numbers last season, with 34 goals and 23 assists, made him a driving force behind Liverpool’s success.
At 33, this may be Salah’s best chance yet, though experts see him as an outsider compared to the leading contenders.
The Top Contenders
The frontrunners this year are Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
- Ousmane Dembélé enjoyed a stellar campaign, registering 43 goal contributions across Ligue 1 and the Champions League, guiding PSG to their first-ever Champions League title and another domestic crown.
- Lamine Yamal, just 18, dazzled with 18 goals and 25 assists for Barcelona, confirming his status as one of football’s brightest young stars.
- Raphinha remains a key figure in Barcelona’s attack, continuing to impress with his consistent performances.
.@BlessdOficial opening the Ballon d’Or red carpet, live from Paris! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/fr3k997Za0
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 22, 2025
From Messi and Ronaldo to a New Era
For more than a decade, the Ballon d’Or was dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who won 12 of 15 awards between 2008 and 2023. Now, with both icons out of contention, football looks set for a new chapter.
As the spotlight turns to Paris, the 2025 Ballon d’Or promises drama, debate, and possibly the crowning of a new era’s leading figure.
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