Ballon d’Or 2025: Who’s Nominated, How It’s Decided, & When Winners Are Announced

Ballon d'Or 2025: Who's Nominated, How It's Decided, & When Winners Are Announced

The anticipation is building for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Awards, a celebration of excellence in football. Set to recognize the most outstanding players of the 2024-2025 season, the event promises to be a highlight for fans worldwide. Organized by France Football in collaboration with UEFA and Groupe Amaury (proprietor of L’Équipe), the Ballon d’Or continues to be the most prestigious individual award in the sport. Media outlets like Sky Sports, Goal.com, Sporting News, and The Times of India are also providing extensive coverage, amplifying the excitement surrounding the event.

Ballon d’Or 2025: Key Details

Mark your calendars! The 69th annual Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held on September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. This glamorous event will honor the best male and female footballers for their exceptional performances during the 2024–25 season, specifically from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. The focus is squarely on rewarding seasonal achievement, a format in place for the fourth year, moving away from calendar-year considerations.

Nomination Announcements

The nominees for all Ballon d’Or categories were revealed on August 7, 2025. France Football announced a shortlist of 30 male and 30 female players, each vying for the coveted title. This initial selection process is crucial, setting the stage for the final voting rounds that determine the ultimate winners. The announcement garnered significant attention across various sports media platforms, including Goal.com and Sporting News.

Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees

The list of nominees for the Men’s Ballon d’Or is a veritable who’s who of global footballing talent. Some of the most prominent names include:

  • Jude Bellingham
  • Ousmane Dembélé
  • Erling Haaland
  • Harry Kane
  • Kylian Mbappé
  • Mohamed Salah
  • Vinicius Junior

These players have consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, athleticism, and impact on their respective teams throughout the season. Their inclusion underscores the competitive nature of the award and the high standards required to be recognized among the world’s elite.

Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees

The Women’s Ballon d’Or nominees also feature an impressive array of talent, with several British players making the shortlist. Notable nominees include:

  • Lucy Bronze
  • Hannah Hampton
  • Chloe Kelly
  • Alessia Russo
  • Leah Williamson

These athletes have been instrumental in elevating women’s football, showcasing their skills on both domestic and international stages. Their nominations reflect the growing recognition and appreciation of women’s contributions to the sport, as highlighted by reports in The Times of India.

The Decision-Making Process: Voting Dynamics

The Ballon d’Or winners are determined through a rigorous voting process involving journalists from around the world. For the Men’s Ballon d’Or, journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries participate, while for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, journalists from the top 50 FIFA-ranked countries are involved. This ensures a broad and representative assessment of player performance.

Voting Mechanics

Each journalist casts their votes by selecting players in a ranked order. Points are then attributed to each position, with the player accumulating the most points ultimately winning the award. This system encourages careful evaluation and nuanced judgment, ensuring that the winners are truly deserving of the honor. France Football’s official guidelines detail the precise allocation of points based on ranking.

Season-Based Assessment

For the fourth consecutive year, the Ballon d’Or is awarded based on player performance during the season (August 1 to July 31) rather than the calendar year. This shift aims to provide a more accurate and relevant assessment of player contributions, aligning the award with the natural rhythm of football competitions. UEFA’s endorsement of this change further solidifies its importance.

Looking Ahead: The 2025 Ceremony

The Ballon d’Or Awards ceremony on September 22, 2025, promises to be a spectacular event, bringing together the biggest names in football to celebrate individual excellence. As the anticipation builds, fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners, recognizing the dedication and skill required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

In summary, the 2025 Ballon d’Or Awards represent the highest individual honors in football, judged by a global panel of experts and based on a full season of performance. With the ceremony fast approaching, the world will soon know who will be crowned the best male and female players of the year, adding another chapter to the rich history of this prestigious award.

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