The Ballon d’Or 2025 shortlist has officially been announced, and it features a mix of familiar names and surprise inclusions.
Among the standout stories? Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay finds himself nominated alongside some of the world’s best players after a
remarkable season with Napoli.
The award ceremony will take place in Paris on September 22, and excitement is already building. Here's everything you need to know.
🏆 Premier League’s Strong Presence
Despite stiff competition from Europe’s other top leagues, eight players currently plying their trade (or recently departed) in
the Premier League are on the 2025 Ballon d'Or longlist. The English top flight continues to prove its dominance in world football.
Premier League Nominees:
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool
Cole Palmer – Chelsea
Declan Rice – Arsenal
Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Florian wirtz – Liverpool
Viktor Gyokeres – Arsenal
Why McTominay’s Inclusion Is Special
Few expected Scott McTominay to make this year’s list, but his breakout season in Serie A,
where he helped Napoli to a league title, stunned many. His performances earned him MVP honors in Italy,
making him the first Scotsman to be nominated in decades.
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🇫🇷 PSG Dominate with Nine Nominations
French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) unsurprisingly boast nine players on the list after winning a stunning continental treble. Standouts include:
Ousmane Dembélé
Achraf Hakimi
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Vitinha
Desire Doue
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
João Neves
Nuno Mendes
Fabian Ruiz
With such an impressive trophy haul, it’s no surprise PSG players are in the spotlight.
Dembélé, in particular, is the current bookmakers’ favorite to win the award.
Young Stars and Historic Firsts
This year’s list also features generational talent, including:
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona (age 18)
Could become the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner.
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
Young players are making a serious impact, and 2025 might be the year that the next superstar is crowned ahead of the old guard.
💰 Past Winners and 2025 Favorites
Recent Winners:
2023 – Lionel Messi
2024 – Rodri
Current Top Contenders:
Ousmane Dembélé – PSG
Raphinha – Barcelona
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
With Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo no longer dominating the headlines, 2025 looks to continue the trend of crowning a new face.
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🔮 Who Will Win the Ballon d’Or 2025?
With a rich list of world-class performances, the Ballon d'Or 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent history. Will it be:
A Premier League powerhouse like Haaland or Salah?
A French wizard like Dembélé?
Or a rising star like Yamal making history?
All eyes will be on Paris this September when the footballing world gathers to crown its best.
📲 Join the Conversation
Who’s your pick for Ballon d'Or 2025?
Let us know in the comments or tag us on social media using #BallonDor2025.
💡 Suggested Readings
Top 10 Players Who Could Win the Ballon d’Or Next