Ballon d'Or 2025 Nominees: Full List of 30 Players nominated for Award

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The full list of nominees for the prestigious Ballon d'Or 2025 has been unveiled, showcasing the best football talents from around the world based on their performances from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. The ceremony will take place on September 22, 2025, in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

This year's nominees reflect outstanding club and individual achievements as there were fewer international tournaments, making club performance the primary criterion. Notably, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are absent from the shortlist this time, marking a significant shift in football's top individual accolades.

Among the top contenders for the men's Ballon d'Or are renowned stars such as Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lautaro Martinez. Rising young superstar Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) impressively features not only among the main nominees but also as a favorite for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21.

Other notable nominees include Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue from PSG, Virgil Van Dijk from Liverpool, Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona, and Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid. Goalkeepers like Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) and Alisson Becker (Liverpool) are also in the running for the Yachine Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees list highlights an exciting mixture of experienced stars and promising young talents who have shown exceptional skill, consistency, and impact throughout the season.

Men's Ballon d'Or nominees

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Ousmane Dembele (PSG)

Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)

Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

Vitinha (PSG)

Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen/Liverpool)

Fabian Ruiz (PSG)

Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Raphinha (Barcelona)

Michael Olise (PSG)

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Pedri (Barcelona)

Joao Neves (PSG)

Nuno Mendes (PSG)

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Scott McTominay (Napoli)

Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Achraf Hakimi (PSG)

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP/Arsenal)

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)

Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)

Desire Doue (PSG)

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)

Kopa Trophy Nominees

Additionally, the Kopa Trophy nominees for the best under-21 players include Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Desire Doue (PSG), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), and others.