It’s that time of the year when every football fan waits for the most riveted and ballistic ceremony of the year, where dreams of footballers take new flights, careers are redefined, and fate changes forever. It’s that time of the year where the best talents of the season fight for the most prestigious prize this lovely game has to offer.
Hold your nerves as the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony is right around the corner and you are at the right place to know everything about this ceremony relevant to you.
When is the Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on 22nd September, 2025 at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Where to watch?
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will begin at 3 P.M. EST / 7 P.M. BST/ 12:30 AM IST. Viewers can watch the live stream on L’Equipe Youtube Channel. Fans from India can also enjoy the live stream on 23rd September, 2025 at 12:30 AM on Sony Sports Network, Website and App.
The Awards that will be given at the ceremony
| Award | Category / What It Recognises |
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | Best male player of the 2024-25 season |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | Best female player of the 2024-25 season |
| Men’s Kopa Trophy | Best young player (men) of the 2024-25 season |
| Women’s Kopa Trophy | Best young player (women) of the 2024-25 season |
| Men’s Yashin Trophy | Best male goalkeeper of the 2024-25 season |
| Women’s Yashin Trophy | Best female goalkeeper of the 2024-25 season |
| Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy | Top scorer (male, club & national) in the 2024-25 season |
| Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy | Top scorer (female, club & national) in the 2024-25 season |
| Men’s Coach of the Year (Johan Cruyff Trophy) | Best male coach (club or national team) in the 2024-25 season |
| Women’s Coach of the Year (Johan Cruyff Trophy) | Best female coach (club or national team) in the 2024-25 season |
| Men’s Club of the Year | Best men’s club of the 2024-25 season |
| Women’s Club of the Year | Best women’s club of the 2024-25 season |
| Sócrates Award | Awarded for best humanitarian work by a footballer worldwide
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Men’s Ballon d’or 2025 Nominees
Here is the list of the Top 30 best players of the last season who will fight for the coveted gold.
| Player | Position & Club |
|---|---|
| Achraf Hakimi | Defender, PSG |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Midfielder, Liverpool |
| Cole Palmer | Forward, Chelsea |
| Declan Rice | Midfielder, Arsenal |
| Denzel Dumfries | Defender, Inter Milan |
| Désiré Doué | Midfielder, Rennes |
| Erling Haaland | Forward, Manchester City |
| Fabián Ruiz | Midfielder, PSG |
| Florian Wirtz | Midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen |
| Gianluigi Donnarumma | Goalkeeper, PSG |
| Harry Kane | Forward, Bayern Munich |
| João Neves | Midfielder, Benfica |
| Jude Bellingham | Midfielder, Real Madrid |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Forward, Napoli |
| Kylian Mbappé | Forward, Real Madrid |
| Lamine Yamal | Forward, Barcelona |
| Lautaro Martínez | Forward, Inter Milan |
| Michael Olise | Forward, Bayern Munich |
| Mohamed Salah | Forward, Liverpool |
| Nuno Mendes | Defender, PSG |
| Ousmane Dembélé | Forward, PSG |
| Pedri | Midfielder, Barcelona |
| Raphinha | Forward, Barcelona |
| Robert Lewandowski | Forward, Barcelona |
| Scott McTominay | Midfielder, Manchester United |
| Serhou Guirassy | Forward, Stuttgart |
| Viktor Gyökeres | Forward, Sporting CP |
| Vinícius Júnior | Forward, Real Madrid |
| Virgil van Dijk | Defender, Liverpool |
| Vitinha | Midfielder, PSG |
Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees
Here are the Top 30 best players of the last season who will fight for the coveted gold.
| Player | Position & Club |
|---|---|
| Aitana Bonmatí | Midfielder, Barcelona |
| Alexia Putellas | Midfielder, Barcelona |
| Alessia Russo | Forward, Arsenal |
| Amanda Gutierres | Forward, Corinthians |
| Barbra Banda | Forward, Orlando Pride |
| Caroline Graham Hansen | Forward, Barcelona |
| Caroline Weir | Midfielder, Real Madrid |
| Chloe Kelly | Forward, Manchester City |
| Clara Mateo | Forward, Paris FC |
| Clàudia Pina | Forward, Barcelona |
| Cristiana Girelli | Forward, Juventus |
| Emily Fox | Defender, Arsenal |
| Esther González | Forward, Gotham FC |
| Ewa Pajor | Forward, Wolfsburg |
| Frida Leonhardsen Maanum | Midfielder, Arsenal |
| Hannah Hampton | Goalkeeper, Chelsea |
| Johanna Rytting Kaneryd | Forward, Chelsea |
| Klara Bühl | Forward, Bayern Munich |
| Leah Williamson | Defender, Arsenal |
| Lindsey Heaps | Midfielder, USA |
| Lucy Bronze | Defender, Barcelona |
| Mariona Caldentey | Forward, Barcelona |
| Marta | Forward, Orlando Pride |
| Melchie Dumornay | Midfielder, Lyon |
| Patri Guijarro | Midfielder, Barcelona |
| Pernille Harder | Forward, Bayern Munich |
| Sandy Baltimore | Forward, PSG |
| Sofia Cantore | Forward, Juventus |
| Steph Catley | Defender, Arsenal |
| Temwa Chawinga | Forward, PSG |
The Favourites for Men’s Ballon d’Or
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Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
The French forward experienced a complete turnaround in his career when he met Luis Enrique at P.S.G. He scored 35 goals and provided 17 assists in 53 appearances. He played a pivotal role in helping the club not just in winning their first ever UEFA Champions League but also in completing a successful and a historic treble this season which only a few clubs have been able to accomplish. He also won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions. According to the bookmakers, he has high odds to win the trophy.
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Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
The young Spanish prodigy emerged when Dembele moved to PSG and when Barcelona turned to La Masia to find this 15 year old gem. Despite being just 17, he scored 18 goals and provided 22 assists in 53 appearances. He helped Barcelona complete a domestic Treble including the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. He also won the EUROS with the Spanish National Team and also a runner’s up medal in the UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE.
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Raphinha (Barcelona)
The Brazilian experienced a complete revamp in his career when the German coach Hansi Flick helped him become the spine of the Barcelona Strike department. He scored 28 goals and provided 20 assists in 51 games and won the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
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Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
With the arrival of Arne Slot, Salah made sure that he was still the main man of this Liverpool attacking front. His consistency in the Premier League is unmatchable out of all the current players playing. He scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists in 52 appearances. He helped Arne Slot conquer the Premier League in his first season as a Liverpool Manager.
Who will win the Ballon d’Or?
Everyone has this question in mind: Who’s gonna take the trophy home?
Everything suggests that Ousmane Dembele will be winning the award, just edging past Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. But rumours are coming out lately that maybe Lamine Yamal has won the Ballon d’Or, and with PSG having a match at the same time as the Gala, things get a little tricky.
I guess we will just have to wait till tonight to find out who eventually wins the prize.
