The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony has opened in Paris with excitement and anticipation surrounding the possibility of new names being added to football’s most prestigious list of individual prize winners. This year’s theme is marked by the prospect of first-time winners in both the men’s and women’s categories as top players across Europe arrive at Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital.
For the men’s award, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has emerged as the frontrunner. The French international enjoyed a career-defining season under manager Luis Enrique, scoring 35 goals across competitions while playing a central role in guiding PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. With the departure of Kylian Mbappe, Dembele stepped up as the club’s attacking leader, combining flair and consistency to deliver historic success for the Parisians. Although he is currently sidelined with a thigh injury and his club has a game on the same night, he is expected to attend the ceremony in person. His strongest rival for the crown is Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who was instrumental in the Catalan club’s domestic double last season, finishing with 18 goals and 21 assists before even turning 18.
In the women’s category, the field appears wide open after an extraordinary year in European football. Arsenal’s Champions League triumph over Barcelona and England’s victory in the Women’s Euro against Spain have reshaped the balance of power. Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly stand out as the only players who lifted both trophies, giving them a unique claim to the award. Either would become the first English winner since the women’s Ballon d’Or was created in 2018. At the same time, established names such as Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, both previous winners, remain strong candidates. Other nominees include England defender Lucy Bronze and Spain midfielder Mariona Caldentay, representing the continued dominance of clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, and Arsenal in women’s football.
The evening also includes the presentation of several additional honors. The Kopa Trophy, recognizing the best young players under 21, saw Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal win the men’s award for the second consecutive year, while Vicky Lopez of Barcelona claimed the women’s Kopa Trophy after scoring eight goals last season and contributing to Spain’s run to the Women’s Euro final. The Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers, the Johan Cruyff Trophy for coaches, and the club of the year award are also on the agenda, further highlighting excellence across all aspects of the game.
Nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or have been narrowed to a final group of 10. Alongside Dembele and Yamal, the list includes Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Cole Palmer, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, and Vitinha. Each has enjoyed a standout season with their respective clubs, but the consensus points toward a battle between PSG’s star forward and Barcelona’s young prodigy.
The women’s Ballon d’Or nominees are equally competitive, featuring Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Mariona Caldentay, Patri Guijarro, Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Ewa Pajor, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, and Leah Williamson. With multiple contenders representing Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona, the shortlist reflects both the depth of talent in Europe’s women’s game and the increasingly competitive nature of international tournaments.
The history of the Kopa Trophy has shown a clear pathway for winners to quickly establish themselves among the world’s elite. Players like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Pedri have used the accolade as a springboard to future success. With Yamal now winning the award for the second time, attention will be firmly placed on how quickly he continues to progress and whether he could secure the Ballon d’Or itself this year.
As the ceremony unfolds in Paris, football fans across the globe are tuned in to see whether the theme of first-time winners will hold true. The possibility of Ousmane Dembele lifting his first Ballon d’Or, or Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest ever to take the honor, reflects the changing landscape of the men’s game. Meanwhile, the women’s award remains unpredictable, with English players Russo and Kelly aiming to break new ground and Spanish icons Bonmati and Putellas seeking to extend their dominance.
The Ballon d’Or has always symbolized the pinnacle of individual recognition in football. Beyond the statistics and trophies, it represents influence, inspiration, and the ability to define moments in the sport. This year, as new stars rise and established legends seek to defend their place, the ceremony promises to add another memorable chapter to the history of the game’s greatest honor.
