What, When, and Where
- The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is the 69th edition of the awards presented by France Football.
- It will take place on Monday, 22 September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
- The awards recognize performances during the 2024-25 season, not a calendar year. This includes domestic leagues, Champions League, national team tournaments, etc.
What’s Being Awarded (New & Expanded Categories)
Besides the main Ballon d’Or (best male player) and Ballon d’Or Féminin (best female player), this year’s ceremony includes a number of awards across both men’s and women’s football:
- Kopa Trophy (best young player; under-21) for both men and women.
- Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper) for men & women.
- Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer) — men & women.
- Johan Cruyff Trophy (Coach of the Year) for men & women.
- Club of the Year awards (men & women).
- Additionally, the Sócrates Award returns, honoring off-field/social contributions.
Key Nominees & Favorites
Some of the top names in contention include:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), etc.
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, others from top clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal.
Note: Rodri, winner of the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or, is not nominated this year due to injury.
What Makes the 2025 Edition Special / What to Watch For
- The inclusivity and expansion of awards in the women’s game: more parallel categories for women than in many previous years.
- The criteria and voting period: performances from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025. For example, club tournaments, continental performance, national team achievements during that span.
- The politics & relationships: There’s some tension reported between Real Madrid and the organizers. Real Madrid were involved in disputes last year and reportedly may again be absent from the ceremony. Despite having several nominees, they may choose a boycott.
Predictions & What to Expect
- With PSG’s strong season (winning major trophies) and standout performances by players like Dembélé, they may be strong contenders.
- Young talent like Lamine Yamal may make waves, especially given performances and growing recognition.
- The presence of awards for “Coach of the Year” (Cruyff Trophy) and “Club of the Year” means we’ll see recognition beyond individual stars: entire systems, leadership, and team success will be rewarded.