2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees Revealed
The eagerly anticipated nominees for the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or have been revealed, showcasing an impressive lineup of talent including Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona’s 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, both recognized as frontrunners for the prestigious award. Dembélé was pivotal in PSG securing the club’s maiden Champions League triumph in the last season, while Yamal has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi due to his impactful performances for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
Notable Absences and Dominance of PSG
Notably absent from this year’s nominees is Rodri, the reigning Ballon d’Or recipient, who has spent much of the season recovering from a severe knee injury sustained in September. He only returned for the final matches of Manchester City’s Premier League season.
In a testament to PSG’s dominance in the footballing landscape, eight of Dembélé’s teammates have also been nominated, including talented players like Nézir Doué, Achraf Hakimi, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, the Premier League boasts the highest representation on the list, featuring players like Cole Palmer, Mohamed Salah, and Declan Rice among the contenders.
New Faces and Key Players
Additionally, two players who have made summer transfers to Premier League teams—Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) and Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)—are also in the running. The nominees include a total of eight representatives from LaLiga, highlighted by Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid.
Scott McTominay, the former Manchester United player, made the list following his significant contributions to Napoli’s Serie A championship victory.
Complete List of Nominees
The complete list of nominees for the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or features:
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Lamine Yamal
- Jude Bellingham
- Vinícius Júnior
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Désiré Doué
- Denzel Dumfries
- Serhou Guirassy
- Viktor Gyökeres
- Erling Haaland
- Achraf Hakimi
- Harry Kane
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Robert Lewandowski
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Lautaro Martínez
- Kylian Mbappé
- Scott McTominay
- Nuno Mendes
- João Neves
- Michael Olise
- Cole Palmer
- Pedri
- Raphinha
- Declan Rice
- Fabián Ruiz
- Mohamed Salah
- Virgil van Dijk
- Vinícius Júnior
- Vitinha
- Florian Wirtz
- Lamine Yamal
Conclusion
As anticipation builds for the award ceremony, fans and analysts alike will closely watch the performances of these outstanding players as they strive for individual glory. Diverse narratives and achievements fuel this year’s nominations, promising a thrilling race for the coveted Ballon d’Or.
