The official shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or has been unveiled, with a host of global stars in contention for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Leading the way are nine players from Paris Saint-Germain, following the club’s historic treble-winning campaign last season.
The ceremony is set to take place on September 22 at the iconic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where the winner will be crowned by France Football in what promises to be one of the most competitive races in years.
Among the frontrunners is PSG winger Ousmane Dembélé, who enjoyed a career-best season with 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions.
His performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League have put him firmly in the spotlight, with many tipping him as the favorite to win the award.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has also been named among the 30 nominees. The 18-year-old, already a key figure at Camp Nou, could make history by becoming the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner.
His dazzling form on Barcelona’s Asian tour and consistent displays throughout the season have earned him wide acclaim.
Elsewhere, Scott McTominay has emerged as a surprise inclusion after a standout season with Napoli, becoming the first Scottish player in decades to earn a Ballon d’Or nomination.
Also nominated are global superstars Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham.
The full list of nominees reflects a mix of established icons, breakout talents, and Champions League performers.
PSG dominate the list with a record nine players, including Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, and João Neves.
Despite the star-studded shortlist, pundits have noted that there is no clear favourite this year, with the award seen as “wide open.” While Dembélé’s stats make a strong case, Yamal’s meteoric rise and Salah’s consistency also carry significant weight.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or marks a generational shift, with long-time contenders Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absent from the list, making way for football’s next era of icons.
Other notable entries include:
Lautaro Martínez and Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Pedri (Barcelona)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Declan Rice and Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal)
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen / Liverpool)
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
