The highly anticipated Ballon d’Or 2025 nominations are here, and for the first time in years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are missing from the list. The prestigious football awards, which recognize the most outstanding players of the season, will be held on Monday, September 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
The ceremony will honor the top performances in men’s and women’s football along with other major accolades. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal dominate the shortlist after securing Champions League victories in their respective men’s and women’s competitions.
Last year’s winners, Rodri of Manchester City and Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona, both made headlines, but only Bonmatí is nominated again this year. Rodri, who suffered an ACL injury in September 2024, has not made the list.
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain)
Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon/Arsenal)
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Scott McTominay (Napoli)
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain)
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Pedri (Barcelona)
Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen/Liverpool)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Dembélé is a top contender for the award, thanks to PSG’s treble-winning season, including a Champions League victory over Inter Milan. Other strong candidates include Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Mohamed Salah.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees:
Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit)
Steph Catley (Arsenal)
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)
Melchie Dumornay (Olympique Lyon)
Emily Fox (Arsenal)
Cristina Girelli (Juventus)
Esther González (NY/NJ Gotham FC)
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona)
Amanda Gutierres (Palmeiras)
Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyon)
Chloe Kelly (Manchester City/Arsenal)
Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum (Arsenal)
Marta (Orlando Pride)
Clara Mateo (Paris FC)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)
Clàudia Pina (Barcelona)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea)
Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
The 2025 edition of the Ballon d’Or is happening a month earlier than usual and is expected to bring fierce competition among the nominees, with multiple Champions League winners in the running.
