The official list of 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees has been unveiled, sparking anticipation and heated debates ahead of the prestigious awards ceremony scheduled for September 2025.
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The nominations reflect a stellar football season, with powerhouse clubs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal dominating the list following their remarkable Champions League victories in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.
PSG Dominates 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominations
With a historic first UEFA Champions League title in the bag, Paris Saint-Germain has emerged as the most represented club among the 30 nominees for the Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025. Leading the charge is Ousmane Dembélé, whose dazzling form in both domestic and European competitions makes him the frontrunner for this year’s prize.
Joining Dembélé on the nominee list are PSG teammates Gianluigi Donnarumma, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, Désiré Doué, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, Fabián Ruiz, and Vitinha—all of whom played crucial roles in PSG’s treble-winning campaign across the Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France.
Other standout nominees include Lamine Yamal and Raphinha of Barcelona, who were instrumental in the club’s domestic treble under Hansi Flick, as well as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, and Arsenal’s midfield dynamo Declan Rice.
Despite their brilliance, some nominees’ chances may be hindered by their teams’ underwhelming performances in European competition compared to PSG’s dominance.
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City |
| Viktor Gyökeres | Sporting Lisbon / Arsenal |
| Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona |
| Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Liverpool |
| Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan |
| Scott McTominay | Napoli |
| Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid |
| João Neves | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Nuno Mendes | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Michael Olise | Bayern Munich |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea |
| Pedri | Barcelona |
| Fabián Ruiz | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Declan Rice | Arsenal |
| Raphinha | Barcelona |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool |
| Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid |
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool |
| Vitinha | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Florian Wirtz | Bayer Leverkusen / Liverpool |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona |
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Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025: Arsenal Leads the Charge
On the women’s side, Arsenal’s triumph in the UEFA Women’s Champions League has paved the way for a strong showing among the 30 nominees. Gunners stars like Alessia Russo, Leah Williamson, Emily Fox, Frida Maanum, and Mariona Caldentey have all earned their spots, thanks to both European club success and their contributions to England’s Euro 2025 title win.
While Barcelona fell short in the final, they still boast multiple nominations, including Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, Clàudia Pina, and Patri Guijarro, showcasing the club’s continued influence in the women’s game.
Other notable women nominees include Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride, Pernille Harder of Bayern Munich, and Temwa Chawinga of Kansas City Current, each recognized for their phenomenal goal-scoring feats and global impact.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Sandy Baltimore | Chelsea |
| Barbra Banda | Orlando Pride |
| Aitana Bonmatí | Barcelona |
| Lucy Bronze | Chelsea |
| Klara Bühl | Bayern Munich |
| Mariona Caldentey | Arsenal |
| Sofia Cantore | Washington Spirit |
| Steph Catley | Arsenal |
| Temwa Chawinga | Kansas City Current |
| Melchie Dumornay | Olympique Lyon |
| Emily Fox | Arsenal |
| Cristina Girelli | Juventus |
| Esther González | NY/NJ Gotham FC |
| Caroline Graham Hansen | Barcelona |
| Hannah Hampton | Chelsea |
| Pernille Harder | Bayern Munich |
| Patri Guijarro | Barcelona |
| Amanda Gutierres | Palmeiras |
| Lindsey Heaps | Olympique Lyon |
| Chloe Kelly | Manchester City / Arsenal |
| Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum | Arsenal |
| Marta | Orlando Pride |
| Clara Mateo | Paris FC |
| Ewa Pajor | Barcelona |
| Clàudia Pina | Barcelona |
| Alexia Putellas | Barcelona |
| Alessia Russo | Arsenal |
| Johanna Rytting Kaneryd | Chelsea |
| Caroline Weir | Real Madrid |
| Leah Williamson | Arsenal |
Global Talent, Fierce Competition
The 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlists present a diverse blend of elite footballing talent from across Europe and beyond. From rising stars like Lamine Yamal and Melchie Dumornay to seasoned legends like Virgil van Dijk and Marta, the award this year promises one of the most competitive races in recent memory.
Football fans worldwide will be closely watching as experts, journalists, and national coaches cast their votes in the coming weeks.
When Is the Ballon d’Or 2025 Ceremony?
The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony will be held in September, where the world will find out who will claim football’s most coveted individual honors. Will PSG’s dominance in Europe translate into a Ballon d’Or for Dembélé? Or will Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League stars edge out the competition?
Stay tuned for all updates as the race to the Ballon d’Or 2025 continues to heat up.
