Ballon d'Or 2025: Nominees Announced, Fresh Faces Take Center Stage
The hype around the Ballon d'Or never gets old, but the 2025 shortlist shakes things up with a burst of young talent alongside tried-and-true stars. As always, fans and pundits are already glued to the debate: who’s the most deserving footballer on the planet this year?
Front and center are Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal, two names sparking plenty of excitement—and arguments. Dembélé, who was outshining everyone at Paris Saint-Germain, played a monster role in their first Champions League victory ever. The guy didn’t just rack up stats—he dictated the whole flow of the team, leaving defenders grasping at air.
But all eyes are also on Lamine Yamal. At just 17, he’s already passing the 'could-be-the-next-Messi' test with flying colors, thanks to some jaw-dropping dribbling and a nose for the back of the net. Barcelona and Spain fans can’t get enough, and neither can those comparing his style to legends of the game. His presence on this list, at such a young age, is causing a real stir—deservedly so.
Who Else Made the Cut? PSG’s Power and Premier League’s Heavy Hitters
This year, PSG completely dominates the nominations—eight players. Alongside Dembélé, there’s the creative Désiré Doué, full-back Achraf Hakimi, and the dynamic Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, each putting in the sorts of performances you replay on highlight reels. That’s a serious flex from the French champions, and it shows the club’s deep pool of talent is finally gelling at the top level.
LaLiga, meanwhile, isn’t taking a backseat. The Spanish league lands eight players on the list too, with familiar faces like Raphinha flying Barcelona’s colors and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior reminding everyone why they’re always in the silverware conversation. The Spanish showdown between these two clubs spills into Ballon d’Or territory yet again.
There’s plenty of Premier League punch, too. Declan Rice keeps Arsenal competitive at the highest level, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has proven, season after season, he’s never out of the top tier. Virgil van Dijk also makes the cut, bringing trademark solidity to Liverpool’s backline. And then there’s Florian Wirtz, who fans might remember more from his Bundesliga exploits, but has now made big waves in England as well.
If you’re scanning for notable absences, last year’s winner, Rodri, stands out. The Manchester City ace, who was the boss of midfield in 2023, is off the list this time—blame a rough season knocked off course by injuries.
The full shortlist runs deep, with Pedri (Barcelona), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), and Scott McTominay (Napoli) rounding out the 30-player lineup. The mix of international stars and rising new faces gives fans a taste of just how unpredictable this sport—and this award—can be.
Mark your calendars for September 22, when the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris fills up with football royalty. It’s more than a trophy—it’s bragging rights, history, and one heck of a party waiting for the winner.
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