France Football has officially released the Ballon d’Or 2025 shortlist for both the Men’s and Women’s awards, spotlighting a new generation of football talent. This year’s list highlights several young players who have delivered exceptional performances in major tournaments and maintained consistent form throughout the season.

A New Era Beyond Messi and Ronaldo

After nearly two decades of dominance, the Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo era appears to be drawing to a close. Neither of the legends is expected to feature prominently in the 2025 rankings. For 16 years, the prestigious award was largely a two-man race between these football icons.

Still, Lionel Messi remains the most decorated Ballon d’Or winner in history with 8 titles, his last coming in 2023 after leading Argentina to World Cup victory.

Spotlight on Rising Stars in 2025

The spotlight in 2024 turned to Rodri of Manchester City, who claimed the Ballon d’Or amid expectations that Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid might take the crown. Now in 2025, attention shifts to 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who finds himself among elite names like Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah, and Ousmane Dembélé.

This year’s list marks a clear transition toward the next generation of football greats.

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Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees: Full Shortlist

Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees

• Ousmane Dembele – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
• Desire Doue – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Denzel Dumfries – Inter Milan
• Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund
• Erling Haaland – Manchester City
• Viktor Gyokeres – Sporting CP/Arsenal
• Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Robert Lewandowski – FC Barcelona
• Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool
• Lautaro Martinez – Inter Milan
• Scott McTominay – Napoli
• Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
• Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Joao Neves – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Pedri – FC Barcelona
• Cole Palmer – Chelsea FC
• Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
• Raphina – FC Barcelona
• Declan Rice – Arsenal
• Fabian Ruiz – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Virgil Van Dijk – Liverpool
• Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
• Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
• Florian Wirtz – Bayern Leverkusen/Liverpool
• Vitinha – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Lamine Yamal – FC Barcelona

Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees

• Caroline Hansen – FC Barcelona
• Patri Guijarro – FC Barcelona
• Amanda Gutierres – Palmeiras
• Hannah Hampton – Chelsea FC
• Pernille Harder – Bayern Munich
• Lindsey Heaps – Olympique Lyonnais
• Chloe Kelly – Manchester City/Arsenal
• Marta – Orlando Pride
• Frida Leonhardsen Maanum – Arsenal FC
• Ewa Pajor – FC Barcelona
• Clara Mateo – Paris FC
• Alessia Russo – Arsenal FC
• Claudia Pina – FC Barcelona
• Alexi Putelass – FC Barcelona
• Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – Chelsea
• Caroline Weir – Real Madrid
• Leah Williamson – Arsenal
• Sandy Baltimore – Chelsea FC
• Barbara Banda – Orlando Pride
• Aitana Bonmati – FC Barcelona
• Lucy Bronze – Chelsea FC
• Klara Buhl – Bayern Munich
• Mariona Caldentey – Arsenal FC
• Sofia Cantore – Juventus
• Steph Catley – Arsenal
• Temwa Chawinga – Kansas City
• Melchie Dumornay – Olympique Lyonnais
• Emily Fox – Arsenal
• Christian Girelli – Juventus
• Esther Gonzalez – Gotham FC

Kopa Trophy 2025 Nominees (Men)

• Pau Cubarsi – FC Barcelona
• Ayyoub Bouaddi – Lille
• Desire Doue – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Estevao – Palmeiras/Chelsea
• Dean Huijsen – AFC Bournemouth/Real Madrid
• Myles Lewis-Skelly – Arsenal
• Rodrigo Mora – FC Porto
• Joao Neves – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Lamine Yamal – FC Barcelona
• Kenan Yildiz – Juventus

Kopa Trophy 2025 Nominees (Women)

• Michelle Agyemang – Brighton/Arsenal
• Linda Caicedo – Real Madrid
• Wieke Kaptein – Chelsea
• Vicky Lopez – Barcelona
• Claudia Martinez Ovando – Club Olimpia

2025 Men’s Yachine Trophy Nominees

• Alisson Becker – Liverpool FC
• Yassine Bounou – Al Hilal
• Lucas Chevalier – Lille
• Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
• Gianluigi Donnarumma – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
• Jan Oblak – Atletico Madrid
• David Raya – Arsenal FC
• Matz Sels – Nottingham Forest
• Yann Sommer – Inter Milan

2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy Nominees

• Ann-Katrin Berger – Gotham FC
• Cata Coll – FC Barcelona
• Hannah Hampton – Chelsea FC
• Chiamaka Nnadozie – Paris FC/Brighton
• Daphne Van Domselaar – Arsenal FC

Men’s Team Coach of the Year

• Antonio Conte – Napoli
• Luis Enrique – Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
• Hansi Flick – FC Barcelona
• Enzo Maresca – Chelsea FC
• Arne Slot – Liverpool FC

Women’s Team Coach of the Year

• Sonia Bompastor – Chelsea FC
• Arthur Elias – Brazil
• Justine Madugu – Nigeria
• Renée Slegers – Arsenal FC
• Sarina Wiegman – England

Men’s Club of the Year

• FC Barcelona
• Botafogo
• Liverpool FC
• Chelsea FC
• Paris Saint Germain (PSG)

Women’s Club of the Year

• Arsenal FC
• FC Barcelona
• Chelsea FC
• Olympique Lyonnais
• Orlando Pride

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Top Contenders to Win Ballon d’Or 2025

[Favorites and predictions coming soon]

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When Is the Ballon d’Or 2025 Winner Announced?

The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony will take place on September 22, 2025, at the prestigious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.