France Football announced the 30 nominees for the main category of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, recognizing the standout performers of the 2024/25 season, from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. The event takes place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, honoring not only the best player but also goalkeepers, coaches, and clubs. Players from leagues like LaLiga, Premier League, and Ligue 1 dominate the list, with emphasis on goals, assists, and collective achievements.
Among the Brazilian names, Raphinha from Barcelona boasts impressive stats, making him a top contender. In 57 matches for the Catalan club, the forward scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists, directly contributing to 59 decisive plays. His performance helped the team win LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, showcasing versatility in attacking roles.
Vinicius Júnior, from Real Madrid, emerges with 22 goals and 19 assists in 58 games, standing out for his dribbles and game-changing plays. Despite the club securing only the UEFA Super Cup, the Brazilian shone in the Copa América for the national team, scoring in the semifinal and helping Brazil reach the final. These achievements reinforce his consistency in crucial moments.
PSG leads with nine nominees, boosted by their Champions League title, adding weight to the evaluation criteria. Clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool also have multiple representatives, reflecting the competitiveness of top leagues.
- Raphinha contributed to LaLiga victories with goals in clásicos against Real Madrid.
- Vinicius Júnior received only two bookings, aligning with the fair play valued in the award.
- Ousmane Dembélé, from PSG, recorded 13 goal involvements in the Champions League in just 16 games.
- Lamine Yamal, at 17, impressed with mature dribbling for Barcelona.
- Mohamed Salah maintained leadership at Liverpool with 34 Premier League goals.
Brazilian presence in specialized categories
Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, competes for the Yashin Trophy, which honors the best in the position. A Premier League champion in the previous season, the Brazilian won the award in 2019 and finished second in 2022. His consistency in crucial saves and defensive impact positions him well among the ten finalists.
Estêvão, recently signed by Chelsea after shining at Palmeiras, is among the nominees for the Kopa Trophy for players under 21. At 18, the youngster was named the revelation of the 2024 Brazilian Championship and scored decisive goals in the Club World Cup. His move to Europe adds anticipation to the category, which celebrates emerging talents.
In women’s football, Arthur Elias, coach of the Brazilian national team, competes for the Cruyff Trophy after leading the team to the Copa América title and a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. His tactical strategy elevated collective performance, with convincing wins in continental tournaments.
These nominations highlight the breadth of Brazilian talent, covering defensive, offensive, and coaching roles. The award values not only individual stats but also the context of titles and team leadership.
The voting process involves journalists from 100 countries, ranked by FIFA, who assign points from 15 to 1 for the top ten in each category. This system ensures a global perspective on performance.
Highlights in women’s football and gender balance
Marta, from Orlando Pride, and Amanda Gutierres, from Palmeiras, are among the nominees for the women’s Ballon d’Or. The 39-year-old veteran scored two goals in the Copa América final against Colombia, solidifying her career with multiple prior nominations. Gutierres, in her debut on the list, stood out with consistent performances at the Brazilian club, contributing to strong campaigns in national competitions.
Aitana Bonmatí, from Barcelona, the current two-time champion, faces competition from Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen, all from the same club. Barcelona dominates the women’s nominations, reflecting its hegemony in European tournaments. The award emphasizes equality, with women’s categories receiving the same spotlight during the ceremony.
- Marta scored decisive goals in international tournaments for the national team.
- Amanda Gutierres provided key assists in Palmeiras’ matches.
- Aitana Bonmatí led Barcelona to victories in the women’s Champions League.
- Alexia Putellas showed technical leadership despite overcoming injuries.
- Caroline Graham Hansen contributed with speed in effective counterattacks.
France Football has expanded its focus on women’s football since 2018, integrating it into the main event structure. This reflects the sport’s growth, with increased investment and visibility in leagues worldwide.
South American clubs in the race for collective recognition
Botafogo, champion of the Libertadores and Brazilian Championship in 2024, is a contender for the best club award. Its campaign included an unprecedented 3-1 victory over Atlético-MG in the Libertadores final in Buenos Aires and the national title secured with rounds to spare. In the Club World Cup, the team beat PSG 1-0, with a goal from Igor Jesus, before being eliminated in the round of 16 by Palmeiras.
In the women’s category, Orlando Pride, featuring Marta, is on the list alongside Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, and OL Lyonnes. The American club advanced in domestic tournaments, highlighting the strength of the Americas’ leagues. These nominations mark the rise of South and North American football on the global stage.
Other men’s contenders include Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and PSG, all with continental achievements. Chelsea, for instance, won the Club World Cup, while PSG celebrated the Champions League.
- Botafogo defeated Atlético-MG in the Libertadores final with goals from three different players.
- Orlando Pride recorded unbeaten streaks in American leagues with Marta as captain.
- Barcelona won multiple domestic and European titles in the season.
- Chelsea secured the Club World Cup with solid defensive performances.
- PSG dominated Ligue 1 and the Champions League with nine individual nominees.
The club category evaluates collective performance, prioritizing achievements and consistency over the period. This balances individual focus with teamwork.
Young prospects and renewal in the sport
Lamine Yamal, from Barcelona, leads the Kopa Trophy nominees at just 17 years old. His dribbles and goals have made him indispensable, drawing comparisons to football legends. João Neves, from PSG, and Pau Cubarsí, also from Barcelona, complete a list highlighting Europe’s new generation.
Estêvão represents Brazil in this race, following transfers that caught the eye of international scouts. His ability to create plays on the right flank sets him apart, with growing assist numbers.
The under-21 award, created in honor of Raymond Kopa, is voted on by former Ballon d’Or winners, adding historical credibility. These youngsters shape the future of national teams and clubs.
In the Yashin Trophy, alongside Alisson, names like Ederson, from Manchester City, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, from PSG, compete. The criteria focus on saves, clean sheets, and impact on titles.
- Yamal recorded assists in high-stakes matches for the Spanish national team.
- Estêvão scored in the Club World Cup for Palmeiras before his transfer.
- Neves integrated PSG’s midfield with precise passes in the Champions League.
- Cubarsí anchored Barcelona’s defense in decisive games.
- Alisson maintained a high save rate in the Premier League.
These awards encourage investment in youth academies, with clubs prioritizing early signings.
Criteria shaping the jurors’ choices
The voting system distributes points decreasingly, with 15 for the first place and 1 for the tenth. Journalists evaluate consistency, fair play, and achievements, such as the Champions League, which carries more weight than standalone national leagues. The Copa América and other international tournaments also count, broadening the scope beyond Europe.
PSG benefits from its European title, with players like Dembélé and Hakimi gaining visibility. Salah, with 34 Premier League goals, exemplifies how goal-scoring in competitive leagues influences votes. Raphinha and Vinicius balance stats with qualitative impact, such as locker-room leadership.
France Football refined criteria after past controversies, emphasizing transparency. This includes video analysis and statistical data to validate performances.
- Maximum points go to players with multiple continental titles.
- Fair play reduces penalties, such as cards, in the final tally.
- Impact in national team tournaments like Copa América adds bonuses.
- Consistency in 50 or more games is a key factor for nomination.
- Collective achievements, like LaLiga, boost individual value.
This structure ensures the award reflects the full annual calendar.
Veterans holding strong against young competition
Mohamed Salah, from Liverpool, boasts 34 goals and 23 assists in the Premier League, remaining a top scorer and captain. His longevity contrasts with prospects like Yamal, creating a generational balance in the list.
Marta, with experience from multiple Ballon d’Or nominations, inspires by scoring in continental finals. Her refined technique influences younger players like Gutierres.
Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, main nominees, combine speed and strength, with Mbappé standing out at PSG post-Champions League. Haaland, at Manchester City, focuses on prolific goal-scoring.
These veterans prove experience matters in voting, where jurors value consistency over careers.
The global event draws wide coverage, with TNT Sports broadcasting live in Brazil. The ceremony celebrates not only trophies but also football as a cultural phenomenon.
