Ballon d’Or 2025: Messi, Ronaldo Absent as a New Generation Prepares to be Crowned

The countdown is on for the 69th edition of the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual honor, as the world’s best male and female players prepare to gather in Paris on Monday, September 22, 2025.

The star-studded gala, co-organized by France Football magazine and UEFA, will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in the French capital, with proceedings kicking off at 8:00 p.m. BST (3:00 p.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. IST).

With Messi and Ronaldo absent from the nominees for the first time in nearly two decades, the stage is wide open for a new era of Ballon d’Or winners.

Will PSG’s Dembele claim his first? Can Mbappé finally deliver on years of Ballon d’Or promise? Or will Liverpool’s Salah crown a record-breaking season?

In the women’s race, the world awaits to see if Bonmatí makes history with three in a row, or if England’s heroes like Russo and Bronze finally break Spain’s dominance.

Ballon d’Or: A Rich History of Prestige

Founded in 1956, the Ballon d’Or began as a prize for Europe’s top player, before expanding in 1995 to include all players plying their trade on the continent. By 2007, it opened up to the entire world.

For six years between 2010 and 2015, it merged with FIFA’s World Player of the Year award, before returning to its independent roots.

In its current format, the prize is awarded based on performances across a football season, with votes cast by international journalists (one per country).

No player has defined the award quite like Lionel Messi, who holds a record eight Ballons d’Or, while Cristiano Ronaldo sits second on the all-time list with five.

The Men’s Ballon d’Or: Who Will Take It?

Manchester City’s Rodi emerged the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, while Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was the runner up.

This year, the men’s shortlist is packed with attacking firepower and defensive giants alike, with 30 nominees announced.

Key contenders include:

• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG/France): Fresh from firing PSG to their first-ever Champions League crown and being named player of the tournament.

• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England): Bundesliga champion, Golden Boot winner, and record-breaking scorer with 41 goals last season.

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France): La Liga’s top scorer in his debut campaign with Madrid, adding hat-tricks against Barcelona and Manchester City.

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt): Carried Liverpool to a historic 20th English title, with a league-best 47 goal involvements.

• Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil): Key to Barca’s domestic treble and joint-top scorer in the Champions League.

• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain): At just 18 years old, he already delivered decisive performances in Barca’s treble-winning season and Spain’s Nations League run.

From midfield creators like Jude Bellingham and Pedri, to powerhouse forwards like Erling Haaland and Vinícius Júnior, the stage is set for a great battle in Paris.

The Women’s Ballon d’Or: Spain vs England Showdown

On the women’s side, 32 nominees are in contention – and once again, Barcelona and Arsenal stars dominate the headlines.

Key contenders:

• Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona/Spain): The reigning two-time winner chasing a historic third consecutive Ballon d’Or.

• Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain): Already a two-time winner herself, she remains one of the most decorated playmakers in world football.

• Alessia Russo (Arsenal/England): The Euro 2025 champion and Women’s Champions League winner with Arsenal, who was also named the Football Writers’ Women’s Player of the Year.

• Lucy Bronze (Chelsea/England): The veteran full-back battled injury to inspire England’s Euros triumph, adding another treble-winning season at club level.

• Claudia Pina (Barcelona/Spain): Champions League top scorer and versatile threat for club and country.

• Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal/Spain): Instrumental in Arsenal’s historic Champions League triumph.

 Spain’s golden generation will be clashing with England’s Euro-winning squad in this year’s Ballon d’Or Féminin.

Other Awards on the Night

The Paris gala will also honour stars across multiple categories:

• Kopa Trophy (Best U-21 Player): Nominees include Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and João Neves (PSG).

• Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC) is nominated alongside Alisson Becker (Liverpool) and Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid).

• Gerd Müller Trophy: Awarded to the top scorer of the season.

• Socrates Award: Recognizing humanitarian contributions.

• Club of the Year: With Barcelona, PSG, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea leading the charge.

• Coach of the Year: Contenders include Luis Enrique (PSG), Arne Slot (Liverpool), and Sarina Wiegman (England Women).

Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees

1. Ousmane Dembélé – PSG / France

2. Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG / Italy

3. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid / England

4. Désiré Doué – PSG / France

5. Denzel Dumfries – Inter Milan / Netherlands

6. Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund / Guinea

7. Erling Haaland – Manchester City / Norway

8. Viktor Gyökeres – Arsenal / Sweden

9. Achraf Hakimi – PSG / Morocco

10. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich / England

11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli & PSG / Georgia

12. Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona / Poland

13. Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool / Argentina

14. Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan / Argentina

15. Scott McTominay – Napoli / Scotland

16. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid / France

17. Nuno Mendes – PSG / Portugal

18. João Neves – PSG / Portugal

19. Pedri – Barcelona / Spain

20. Cole Palmer – Chelsea / England

21. Michael Olise – Bayern Munich / France

22. Raphinha – Barcelona / Brazil

23. Declan Rice – Arsenal / England

24. Fabián Ruiz – PSG / Spain

25. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona / Spain

26. Florian Wirtz – Liverpool / Germany

27. Vitinha – PSG / Portugal

28. Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid / Brazil

29. Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool / Netherlands

30. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool / Egypt

Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees

1. Lucy Bronze – Chelsea / England

2. Barbra Banda – Orlando Pride / Zambia

3. Aitana Bonmatí – Barcelona / Spain

4. Sandy Baltimore – Chelsea / France

5. Mariona Caldentey – Arsenal / Spain

6. Klara Bühl – Bayern Munich / Germany

7. Sofia Cantore – Washington Spirit / Italy

8. Steph Catley – Arsenal / Australia

9. Melchie Dumornay – Lyon / Haiti

10. Temwa Chawinga – Kansas City Current / Malawi

11. Emily Fox – Arsenal / USA

12. Cristiana Girelli – Juventus / Italy

13. Esther González – Gotham FC / Spain

14. Caroline Graham Hansen – Barcelona / Norway

15. Patri Guijarro – Barcelona / Spain

16. Amanda Gutierres – Palmeiras / Brazil

17. Hannah Hampton – Chelsea / England

18. Pernille Harder – Bayern Munich / Denmark

19. Lindsey Heaps – Lyon / USA

20. Chloe Kelly – Manchester City & Arsenal / England

21. Marta – Orlando Pride / Brazil

22. Frida Maanum – Arsenal / Norway

23. Ewa Pajor – Barcelona / Poland

24. Clara Mateo – Paris FC / France

25. Alessia Russo – Arsenal / England

26. Clàudia Pina – Barcelona / Spain

27. Alexia Putellas – Barcelona / Spain

28. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – Chelsea / Sweden

29. Caroline Weir – Real Madrid / Scotland

30. Leah Williamson – Arsenal / England

Kopa Trophy (U21 – Best Young Player)

Men’s

1. Pau Cubarsí – Barcelona / Spain

2. Ayyoub Bouaddi – Lille / France

3. Désiré Doué – PSG / France

4. Estêvão – Palmeiras, Chelsea / Brazil

5. Dean Huijsen – Bournemouth, Real Madrid / Spain

6. Myles Lewis-Skelly – Arsenal / England

7. Rodrigo Mora – Porto / Portugal

8. João Neves – PSG / Portugal

9. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona / Spain

10. Kenan Yildiz – Juventus / Turkey

Women’s

1. Michelle Agyemang – Brighton / England

2. Linda Caicedo – Real Madrid / Colombia

3. Wieke Kaptein – Chelsea / Netherlands

4. Claudia Martínez – Club Olimpia / Paraguay

5. Vicky López – Barcelona / Spain

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)

Men’s

1. Alisson Becker – Liverpool / Brazil

2. Yassine Bounou – Al Hilal / Morocco

3. Lucas Chevalier – Lille, PSG / France

4. Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid / Spain

5. Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG, Manchester City / Italy

6. Emiliano Martínez – Aston Villa / Argentina

7. Jan Oblak – Atlético Madrid / Slovenia

8. David Raya – Arsenal / Spain

9. Matz Sels – Nottingham Forest / Belgium

10. Yann Sommer – Inter Milan / Switzerland

Women’s

1. Ann-Katrin Berger – Gotham FC / Germany

2. Cata Coll – Barcelona / Spain

3. Hannah Hampton – Chelsea / England

4. Chiamaka Nnadozie – Paris FC, Brighton / Nigeria

5. Daphne van Domselaar – Arsenal / Netherlands

Club of the Year

Men’s

• Barcelona

• Botafogo

• Chelsea

• Liverpool

• Paris Saint-Germain

Women’s

• Arsenal

• Barcelona

• Chelsea

• Lyon

• Orlando Pride

Coach of the Year

Men’s

• Antonio Conte

• Luis Enrique

• Hansi Flick

• Enzo Maresca

• Arne Slot

Women’s

• Sonia Bompastor

• Arthur Elias

• Justine Madugu

• Renee Slegers

• Sarina Wiegman