The shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or has been officially revealed, with 30 players named as nominees for the most prestigious individual award in world football. For the first time in over a decade, the race feels truly open, with neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo on the list, signalling a continued generational shift.
Among the headline names is Ousmane Dembele, widely considered the frontrunner following a sensational season with Paris Saint-Germain. In a remarkable twist, this marks the France international’s first-ever Ballon d’Or nomination, despite years of top-level performances. He is joined by five PSG teammates: Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, and rising star Desire Doue, underlining the French club’s formidable influence on European football this season.
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal also receives a historic first nomination at just 18 years of age, cementing his meteoric rise through the ranks at Camp Nou. He is one of several debutants on the list, including Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.
Scott McTominay’s inclusion stands out as one of the most surprising. The Scottish midfielder has enjoyed a career-best campaign with Napoli, playing a pivotal role in their Serie A title triumph and earning his maiden nomination for the award.
Other notable names on the list include Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Bayern’s Harry Kane, Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, and PSG talisman Kylian Mbappe. Mohamed Salah, Declan Rice, Vinicius Jr., Florian Wirtz, and Virgil van Dijk also feature prominently.
The Ballon d’Or is awarded based on votes from journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations. Each journalist submits their top 10 players in order, with a points system that awards 15 points to their top choice, 12 for second place, followed by 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1.
This year’s winner will be revealed during the official ceremony on 22 September, as the football world awaits to see who will lift the golden ball in an era no longer dominated by Messi and Ronaldo.
Full List of 2025 Ballon d’Or Nominees:
Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Desire Doue, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Viktor Gyokeres, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappe, Scott McTominay, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Michael Olise, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabian Ruiz, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Vinicius Jr., Vitinha, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal.
