France Football shines a spotlight on the very best players from across the globe, dedicating meticulous attention to individual brilliance, team accomplishments, and fair play. The 2025 ceremony will mark the 69th edition of this prestigious award, and it promises to be unforgettable.
This edition honors performances from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, and the gala is scheduled for September 22, 2025, at the iconic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
On August 7, 2025, France Football revealed the longlists across multiple categories:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or
- Women’s Ballon d’Or
- Kopa Trophy (Best Young Player)
- Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer)
- Coach of the Year
- Club of the Year
This year, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dominated the men’s list, sending nine elite players into the running. Their treble-winning season, highlighted by a first Champions League trophy, made their stars impossible to ignore.
Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees:
Here is the full 30-player list, representing football’s elite from Barcelona to Manchester City, Real Madrid to Napoli:
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
• Désiré Doué (PSG)
• Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
• Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon / Arsenal)
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
• Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
• Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)
• Scott McTominay (Napoli)
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
• João Neves (PSG)
• Nuno Mendes (PSG)
• Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
• Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
• Pedri (Barcelona)
• Fabián Ruiz (PSG)
• Declan Rice (Arsenal)
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
• Vitinha (PSG)
• Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
The Ballon d’Or shortlist may be filled with world-class talent, but there are always a few names that dominate the conversation before the ceremony. This year is no different. Some players have carried their clubs on their shoulders in decisive moments, others have redefined their positions entirely, and a few have simply reached such a level of consistency that their inclusion feels inevitable.
No club has made a bigger statement in 2025 than Paris Saint-Germain. After years of falling short in Europe despite assembling some of the sport’s most expensive squads, they finally captured the Champions League, sweeping through the knockout rounds with a confidence that felt inevitable from the moment the group stage began.
At the heart of that campaign was Ousmane Dembélé, a player whose career has been a rollercoaster of injuries, flashes of genius, and questions about whether he could ever truly deliver on his immense potential. This season, the questions stopped. Dembélé became the creative spark PSG fans had been waiting for, slicing through defenses with the same devastating pace and unpredictable dribbling that once made him the most sought-after winger in Europe. But what set this season apart was his maturity.
Another key figure in PSG’s historic run was Gianluigi Donnarumma, who seemed to rediscover the towering presence that made him a European Champion with Italy in 2021. His shot-stopping in the final against Manchester City, including a reflex save in stoppage time that denied Erling Haaland, became an instant highlight of the season. Donnarumma has sometimes been accused of lapses in concentration, but this year he looked locked in from the opening whistle in August to the closing celebrations in May.
Defensively, Achraf Hakimi provided more than just stability on the right flank. His surging overlaps and relentless energy made PSG’s attack unpredictable, forcing opponents to spread thin across the pitch. Nuno Mendes mirrored that threat on the opposite side, giving the French champions balance in their wide play and making them dangerous from both wings.
And then there is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger whose rise from Napoli cult hero to PSG superstar has been one of the more fascinating storylines in recent years. Known for his quick feet and audacious dribbling, Kvaratskhelia brought a different dynamic to PSG’s front line, stretching defenses and creating pockets of space for Dembélé and the midfield creators.
The midfield was anchored by Vitinha, whose ability to dictate tempo and transition from defense to attack kept PSG in control against even the most aggressive pressing sides. Alongside him, João Neves showed why he is being touted as one of the brightest young midfielders in Europe, blending technical skill with remarkable composure under pressure. Fabián Ruiz added versatility and a knack for scoring from distance, rounding out a midfield that could both protect a lead and break down stubborn defenses.
Barcelona might not have matched PSG’s silverware haul, but their return to form underlined the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent while still leaning on experienced leaders. The name that has captured most of the headlines is Lamine Yamal. At just 18, Yamal has already become a fixture in the starting lineup, his fearless approach making him one of the most exciting players to watch in La Liga. His ability to take on defenders one-on-one, combined with a calmness in front of goal that belies his age, has drawn comparisons to some of the club’s greatest forwards.
Supporting him is Raphinha, whose energy and determination have been instrumental in tight matches. While Yamal often dazzles with moments of brilliance, Raphinha’s relentless pressing and defensive contributions ensure that Barcelona remains competitive even on off-days. Pedri, still only in his early twenties, continues to act as the heartbeat of the midfield. His vision, passing range, and ability to control the rhythm of a game have earned him comparisons to Andrés Iniesta, and while such comparisons can be a burden, Pedri seems to carry them with ease. Robert Lewandowski provides the experience up front, a steady presence who knows how to find the back of the net even in matches where chances are scarce.
Across the channel, the Premier League’s representatives have also made their mark. Liverpool’s presence on the list is a testament to their resurgence under new leadership. Mohamed Salah remains the face of the club, consistently delivering goals and assists while showing no signs of slowing down. Virgil van Dijk anchors the defense with the same authority that made him the most expensive defender in history, and his leadership on and off the pitch continues to be invaluable. Alexis Mac Allister has added a creative spark to the midfield, linking play between the lines and scoring crucial goals.
Elsewhere in England, Cole Palmer has been a revelation for Chelsea, stepping into a starring role after a crazy move from Manchester City. His versatility and composure in front of goal have made him a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal’s Declan Rice continues to demonstrate why he was worth every penny, controlling games from midfield with his reading of the play and breaking up opposition attacks before they can become dangerous.
And of course, there is Erling Haaland at Manchester City, whose goal-scoring exploits need no introduction. Haaland’s ability to score from seemingly impossible situations has kept him at the forefront of Ballon d’Or discussions since his arrival in England.
Beyond the club powerhouses, a few individuals stand out for their unique impact on the sport. Jude Bellingham, in only his second season at Real Madrid, has already taken on the role of talisman, producing match-winning performances in both domestic and European competitions. Kylian Mbappé, now also at Madrid, has seamlessly adapted to his new surroundings, combining his trademark pace and finishing with a growing maturity in his decision-making.
From Germany to Italy, from Scotland to Georgia, the shortlist is a reminder that football’s talent pool is as deep and diverse as ever. Whether it is Harry Kane setting records in the Bundesliga, Denzel Dumfries powering forward for Inter Milan, or Scott McTominay surprising critics with his goal output at Napoli, each player has a story worth telling.
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