Ballon d’Or nominees list – who is nominated for Ballon d’Or 2025?
Ballon d’Or nominees list? Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list?Which players have been nominated to the 30-man shortlist released by France Football? Let’s find out.
France Football revealed their Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list which is 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or nominees on 07 August 2025.
The glittering Théâtre du Châtelet prepares to crown football’s new king. For the first time in nearly two decades, the Ballon d’Or ceremony unfolds without Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo on the shortlist, truly marking the dawn of a new era.
France Football’s prestigious 30-man list for 2025 is packed with established superstars, thrilling young prodigies, and unsung heroes, setting the stage for one of the most open and intriguing votes in recent memory.
Sillyseason.com brings you the definitive guide to the nominees, the favourites, and the stories behind the race for the Golden Ball.
The Ballon d’Or 2025 winner will be announced on 22 September 2025 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Watch & Bet on Football Live =>
Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees List – Who is Nominated?
The gates to football immortality have swung open. France Football’s selection panel, comprised of international journalists, has unveiled its 30-man shortlist celebrating the best performances from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.
The list reflects a season dominated by Paris Saint-Germain’s historic continental triumph, Barcelona’s domestic mastery, and Liverpool’s gritty Premier League success.
Gone are the familiar titans; in their place, a vibrant mix of electrifying wingers, prolific scorers, and midfield maestros steps into the spotlight.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees… ⤵️#ballondor pic.twitter.com/MjNvOAwIlP
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) August 7, 2025
Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list date and time
France football have announced their 30 man short list for the Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list.
The football world will descend upon the City of Light this September for the 69th Ballon d’Or gala. Here’s when and where the winner will be revealed:
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Time: Evening (CEST – Exact stage time TBC)
Venue: Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France
The ceremony promises a night of high glamour, celebrating not just the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or winners, but also the inaugural Women’s Kopa Trophy, the Yashin Trophies for best goalkeepers, and the Coach and Club of the Year awards.
Ballon d’Or 2025 winner odds – who will win Ballon d’Or 2025?
With Rodri, the 2024 winner, sidelined by a devastating ACL injury early in the season, the race is wide open.
While official odds fluctuate, consensus points towards several leading contenders based on team success, individual brilliance, and narrative momentum:
| Player | Club | Goals | Assists | Key Trophies Won (Club) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O. Dembele | PSG | 36 | 13 | Ligue 1, Champions League, CdF |
| Raphinha | Barcelona | 34 | 25 | La Liga, Copa del Rey |
| M. Salah | Liverpool | 34 | 23 | Premier League |
| K. Mbappé | Real Madrid | 43 | 5 | UEFA Super Cup |
| Vitinha | PSG | 7 | 3 | Ligue 1, Champions League, CdF |
Odds from bet365 also reinforce these standings, listing Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Vitinha, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha near the top of betting interest.
A prediction platform (Polymarket) shows Dembele with a strong favorite position (79.8%), with Yamal trailing at 8.9%.
Clear favorite: Ousmane Dembélé, given his stellar season and treble success with PSG.
Strong challenger: Lamine Yamal, whose meteoric breakthrough at just 18 makes him a compelling alternative.
Other contenders: Vitinha, Raphinha, and Salah all remain in the mix, though with longer odds.
Ousmane Dembélé: ~1.17–1.25 (super heavy favorite)
Lamine Yamal: 6.00
Vitinha: 12.0–15.0
Mohamed Salah: ~13.0–17.0
Raphinha: ~13.0–20.0
Cole Palmer: ~34.0
Odds provided by bet365. Watch & Bet on Football Live =>
Top 30 Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list
Here is the official 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, announced by France Football on August 7, 2025 (Listed Alphabetically):
2025 Ballon d’Or 30-man nominees shortlist
Here is the Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England)
- Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain & France)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain & Italy)
- Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain & France)
- Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan & Netherlands)
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund & Guinea)
- Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal & Sweden)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City & Norway)
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain & Morocco)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain & Georgia)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool & Argentina)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan & Argentina)
- Scott McTominay (Napoli & Scotland)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid & France)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain & Portugal)
- João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain & Portugal)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich & France)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea & England)
- Pedri (Barcelona & Spain)
- Raphinha (Barcelona & Brazil)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal & England)
- Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain & Spain)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands)
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid & Brazil)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain & Portugal)
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool & Germany)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain)
*This list represents the pinnacle of individual achievement across European and world football for the 2024/25 season*.
Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list – who are the nominees for Ballon d’Or 2025?
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2025? Dembele and Raphina look favourites to win the award this year. Rodri was instrumental in Spain’s Euro Cup triumph and Vini Jr. had magical season with Madrid.
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2025 – TBD
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2024 – Rodri Wins 2024 Ballon d’Or Award

Rodri has been crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, marking his first-ever triumph for football’s most prestigious individual award. The Manchester City and Spain midfielder rose above a competitive field of superstars, including Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland, to clinch the title at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2023 – Lionel Messi Wins 2023 Ballon d’Or Award
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2023? Lionel Messi won 2023 Ballon d’Or award. He set a huge milestone by winning the prestigious trophy for the record 8th time.
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2022 – Karim Benzema Wins 2022 Ballon d’Or Award
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2022? Karim Benzema won 2022 Ballon d’Or award. He became the second player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the award in more than a decade, after Modric in 2018.

Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2019 & 2021 – Lionel Messi Wins 2019 & 2021 Ballon d’Or Award

Who won 2021 Ballon d’Or? Lionel Messi won 2021 Ballon d’Or award. He won his record seven men’s Ballon d’Or award, beating Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to take the honours. Third was Cristiano Ronaldo. Watch & Bet on Football Live =>
Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2018 – Luka Modric Wins 2018 Ballon d’Or Award

Ballon d’Or Award Winner 2018? Luka Modric won 2018 Ballon d’Or award. He become the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the award in more than a decade, after Kaka in 2007.
Modric’s victory has finished a 10-year run during which Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi traded possession of the award, thought-about one among world soccer’s prime particular person honors.
Cristiano Ronaldo was second last year, Lionel Messi finished 5th behind Kylian Mbappe. Atlético Madrid ahead Antoine Griezmann was third, simply forward of his France teammate Kylian Mbappé. Watch & Bet on Football Live =>
List of Ballon d’Or winners of all time
List of Ballon d’Or winners of all time? Here is a full list of the Ballon d’ Or winners since 1956 until 2024.
As you will see Messi and Ronaldo are dominating the list of Ballon d’Or winners of all time. France Football’s Ballon d’Or 2024 award regarding 2020/2021 went to Lionel Messi. Watch & Bet on Football Live =>

List of Ballon d’Or winners of all time 2000-2025
Ballon d’Or winners last 20 years? Ballon d’Or winners last 10 years? Here are all Ballon d’Or winners over the years 2000-2025:
| Year | Football Player | Football Club | Nationality |
| 2025 | – | – | – |
| 2024 | Rodri | Manchester City | Spain |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Argentina |
| 2022 | Karim Benzema | Real Madrid | France |
| 2021 | Lionel Messi | PSG | Argentina |
| 2020 | No Award | – | – |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | Argentina |
| 2018 | Luka Modric | Real Madrid | Croatia |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Portugal |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Portugal |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | Argentina |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Portugal |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Portugal |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi | FC Barceona | Argentina |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | Argentina |
| 2010 | Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | Argentina |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | Argentina |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | Portugal |
| 2007 | Kaka | AC Milan | Brazil |
| 2006 | Fabio Cannavaro | Juventus/Real Madrid | Italy |
| 2005 | Ronaldinho | FC Barcelona | Brazil |
| 2004 | Andriy Shevchenko | AC Milan | Ukraine |
| 2003 | Pavel Nedved | AC Milan | Juventus |
| 2002 | Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Brazil |
| 2001 | Michael Owen | FC Liverpool | England |
| 2000 | Luis Figo | Real Madrid | Portugal |
Check in the full list of past Ballon D’or winners of all time!
For only the second time in over fifteen years, the shortlist features neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo. While Ronaldo lifted the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in June, their performances outside Europe’s elite leagues weren’t deemed sufficient for inclusion this year.
The absence of Rodri, the 2024 winner, due to his season-ending knee injury, truly opened the field.
Sillyseason Says: The 2025 Ballon d’Or race is a captivating blend of team triumph and individual genius.
Will it reward Ousmane Dembélé, the dazzling force behind PSG’s crowning European glory? Or will Raphinha’s incredible, trophy-laden individual campaign for Barcelona sway the voters?
Can Mohamed Salah’s relentless consistency and Premier League title overcome the lack of European success? Or will the football world witness history with Lamine Yamal? One thing is certain: on September 22nd in Paris, a new king will be crowned, marking a definitive turn in football’s golden pages.
Stay tuned to Sillyseason.com for all the buildup, analysis, and reaction from the ceremony itself!
More about Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees list
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L. Messi