Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees: Who Really Deserves the Crown?
The Ballon d’Or. The Holy Grail of individual awards in football. The one award that makes grown men weep, Twitter explode, and football fans debate until the end of time. And now, the 2025 nominees have dropped. Let’s dig into this year’s attention-grabbing, eyebrow-raising list and figure out who might snag the crown.
Did PSG… Just Steal the Show?
If you thought Paris Saint-Germain wouldn’t milk their treble-winning season for all it’s worth, think again. Nine of their players have made it onto the men’s Ballon d’Or nominee list. Yes, nine. Names like Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, and Kylian Mbappe are leading the PSG pack. And honestly, who can argue? Sure, Dembele’s 35 goals and 16 assists played a massive role in PSG’s dream season, but one can’t overlook Kylian Mbappe’s consistent domination. Oh, and FYI, their coach, Luis Enrique, is also up for Coach of the Year. PSG fans are eating well this year.
Not to be a buzzkill or anything, but does anyone else feel like PSG getting nine nominees is a bit much? Anyway, moving on…
Salah and Haaland – The Silent Assassins
Wait, Where’s Ronaldo and Messi?
Plot twist? Not really. For the second year in a row, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi is on the shortlist. Shocking? Maybe. Long overdue? Perhaps. End of an era? Absolutely. It’s like football fans have collectively lost their dads. The great international rivalry seems to have finally given way to a new generation of star players.
Young Guns Making Waves
Speaking of new generations, Barça prodigy Lamine Yamal (still just 18 years old) sneaks into the list with 18 goals and 25 assists. Seriously, what were you doing at 18? This kid is living the dream. Not only is he nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or, but he’s also up for the Kopa Trophy for players under 21. Barcelona’s factory of talent just keeps producing, doesn’t it?
The Scots Are Coming!
Now here’s something you don’t see every day. Scott McTominay lands on the Ballon d’Or nominees list, becoming the first Scot to do so in 38 years. Insert bagpipe music here. Napoli’s midfield commander helped the club claim the Serie A title alongside his MVP award. Is it realistically his year? Probably not. But hey, seeing a Scottish name here is refreshing.
Women Stealing the Spotlight
Ladies and gents, can we talk about the lionesses for a minute? Five England stars, including Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly, have made the cut for the women’s Ballon d’Or after helping England win the Euros. And don’t forget about Marta, who came out of retirement to win Copa America with Brazil at age 39. Her mere nomination is a feel-good story for the ages.
Barcelona’s midfield magician, Aitana Bonmati, makes another appearance, despite losing at the Euros. Could she go back-to-back after her 2024 Ballon d’Or win? Statistically? Yeah, it’s likely.
What You Really Want to Know
Okay, let’s cut to the chase. The winners will be announced on September 22, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Voting for the Ballon d’Or isn’t exactly random. Journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries pick their favorites based on three criteria:
- Individual brilliance.
- Team performance.
- Class and fair play (because staying classy matters, apparently).
Oh, and if there’s a tie? It’s settled by who has the most first-place votes. Still tied? Second-place votes. Rinse and repeat.
Is the Ballon d’Or Still as Big of a Deal?
Short answer? Yes. Long answer? Absolutely. Sure, the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry gave it legendary status, but watching fresh blood like Mbappe, Salah, and Yamal battle it out for the crown is equally thrilling. With players pushing the boundaries of performance every year, the Ballon d’Or remains the definitive individual accolade in football.
As of now, though, my money’s on either Dembele riding PSG’s wave of glory or Salah pulling off a sneaky victory after a monstrous season. What about you? Drop your predictions below!
