The football world is abuzz following the announcement of the 30-man shortlist for the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or award. The prestigious prize, which recognizes the best men’s player in the world, is to be voted on by a jury of international journalists ahead of the awards ceremony on September 22nd. The period under consideration for the awards runs from August 1st, 2024, to July 31st, 2025.
Leading the charge in nominations is Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), with a remarkable eight players making the list, including Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz, and Vitinha. This strong presence highlights a dominant season for the French club.
Close behind are the Spanish giants Real Madrid, who have three notable players in contention: Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. Meanwhile, Liverpool also sees a significant number of their stars nominated, including Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Florian Wirtz.
Other major clubs are also well-represented, with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Michael Olise, Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice, and Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez all earning a place on the shortlist.
The list of nominees showcases a blend of established superstars and rising talents from across the globe. Alongside the main prize, shortlists have also been announced for the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, and the associated coaches’ and women’s prizes. The winners will be celebrated at a gala event on September 22nd, 2025.
Here are the nominees for the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England)
Ousmane Dembele (PSG & France)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG & Italy)
Desire Doue (PSG & France)
Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan & Netherlands)
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund & Guinea)
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal & Sweden)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City & Norway)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG & Morocco)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG & Georgia)
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool & Argentina)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan & Argentina)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid & France)
Scott McTominay (Napoli & Scotland)
Nuno Mendes (PSG & Portugal)
Joao Neves (PSG & Portugal)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich & France)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea & England)
Pedri (Barcelona & Spain)
Raphinha (Barcelona & Brazil)
Declan Rice (Arsenal & England)
Fabian Ruiz (PSG & Spain)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid & Brazil)
Vitinha (PSG & Portugal)
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool & Germany)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain)
