Paris, France – The 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or was released on Thursday, guaranteeing a new winner for the second consecutive year. Reigning holder Rodri of Manchester City, who suffered a season-ending knee injury after winning the 2024 award, was notably absent from the nominations. Also missing from the prestigious list are football icons Lionel Messi, an eight-time winner, and five-time recipient Cristiano Ronaldo.
PSG Leads the Pack After Champions League Triumph
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), fresh off a commanding Champions League victory and a historic treble (Ligue 1, French Cup, and Champions League), boasts the most nominees with nine players on the shortlist. This strong representation highlights their dominant season.
Other prominent clubs with multiple nominees include:
- Barcelona: Four players, including the youngest nominee, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, and the oldest, 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski, following their Spanish league and cup double.
- Real Madrid: Three nominees, including Brazilian star Vinicius, despite their boycott of last year’s ceremony over Rodri’s 2024 win.
- Liverpool: Four players, including Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister, following their record-equalling 20th Premier League title.
- Inter Milan: Two players, Lautaro Martinez and Denzel Dumfries.
- Bayern Munich: Two players, Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
- Arsenal: Three players, Viktor Gyokeres, Declan Rice, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Notable Nominations and Milestones
Napoli, who secured Italy’s Serie A title, saw Scott McTominay become the first Scottish nominee since Ally McCoist in 1987. Should McTominay win, he would be the first player from Diego Maradona’s former club to claim the award and only the second Scot, following Denis Law in 1964.
Full List of 2025 Ballon d’Or Nominees:
- Ousmane Dembele (FRA/PSG)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (ITA/PSG)
- Jude Bellingham (ENG/Real Madrid)
- Desire Doue (FRA/PSG)
- Denzel Dumfries (NED/Inter Milan)
- Serhou Guirassy (GUI/Dortmund)
- Erling Haaland (NOR/Manchester City)
- Viktor Gyokeres (SWE/Arsenal)
- Achraf Hakimi (MAR/PSG)
- Harry Kane (ENG/Bayern)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (GEO/PSG)
- Robert Lewandowski (POL/Barcelona)
- Alexis Mac Allister (ARG/Liverpool)
- Lautaro Martinez (ARG/Inter Milan)
- Scott McTominay (SCO/Napoli)
- Kylian Mbappe (FRA/Real Madrid)
- Nuno Mendes (POR/PSG)
- Joao Neves (POR/PSG)
- Pedri (ESP/Barcelona)
- Cole Palmer (ENG/Chelsea)
- Michael Olise (FRA/Bayern)
- Raphinha (BRA/Barcelona)
- Declan Rice (ENG/Arsenal)
- Fabian Ruiz (SCO/PSG)
- Virgil van Dijk (NED/Liverpool)
- Vinicius (BRA/Real Madrid)
- Mohamed Salah (EGY/Liverpool)
- Florian Wirtz (GER/Liverpool)
- Vitinha (POR/PSG)
- Lamine Yamal (ESP/Barcelona)
The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be unveiled at a ceremony on September 22.
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