France Football will unveil the full list of nominees for the 2025 men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or on August 8, 2025, sparking anticipation for the awards ceremony at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet on September 22. With Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele emerging as top contenders, the race for football’s most prestigious individual award is heating up, per France Football.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or will follow its established format, honouring men’s and women’s football. Alongside the main awards, nominees will be announced for the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), Kopa Trophy (best young player), and Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer). A panel of international journalists, one from each of the top 100 FIFA men’s ranking countries for the men’s award and top 50 for the women’s, will rank their top 10 players, with points determining the winners.
Ballon d’Or Ranking, June 2025 – According to Score 90 🏆⭐️ pic.twitter.com/JoDVV4dtyi
— Score 90 (@Score90_) June 9, 2025
Top Contenders for the Ballon d’Or 2025
Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, with 21 goals and 26 assists, led his club to a domestic treble, making him a standout candidate. PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, with 35 goals and 15 assists, was pivotal in their Champions League triumph, positioning him as the frontrunner, according to ESPN. Both aim to succeed 2024 winner Rodri, whose Manchester City and Spain exploits set a high bar.
Other likely nominees include Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Vinícius Júnior, whose performances in the Champions League and Euro 2024 will influence voters.
Ballon d’Or 2025 Rankings
Here’s a look at the top five contenders based on current form:
Rank | Player | Club | Stats | Trophies | Key Achievements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ousmane Dembele | PSG | 35 goals, 15 assists | UCL, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions | Crucial in PSG’s historic Champions League win, most complete season yet. |
2 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | 21 goals, 26 assists | La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa | At 17, led Barcelona’s domestic treble, Spain’s brightest star. |
3 | Raphinha | Barcelona | 39 goals, 25 assists | La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa | Standout attacker in Barcelona’s domestic treble, consistent end product. |
4 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 36 goals, 24 assists | Premier League | Led Liverpool to league title, strong under new management. |
5 | Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | 45 goals, 7 assists | UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup | Big goals but hurt by Real Madrid’s late-season collapse. |
The Ballon d’Or 2025 race highlights football’s brightest stars, with Yamal and Dembele representing a new generation. The nominees’ reveal on August 8 will fuel global debates, amplified by performances in major tournaments