The Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees List

The Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious football award worldwide, will be celebrated with grandeur this year in its 69th edition. Scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, the ceremony will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, honoring the finest male and female footballers, goalkeepers, young talents, leading scorers, and top coaches in European football. The event will begin at midnight Bangladesh time.

Lionel Messi holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or wins, while Cristiano Ronaldo has been nominated the most times 18 in total. However, neither legendary figure is among the nominees this year, signaling a new era in the award’s history.

This year, 32 players have been nominated, featuring stars like Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, and Vinicius Junior. Among them, French forward Ousmane Dembele stands out, having led Paris Saint-Germain to a historic treble winning the league, domestic cups, and the Champions League. He was also named the best player in the Champions League, making him a top favorite with his remarkable goals and assists.

Barcelona’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal has also captured fans’ hearts. He inherited Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt and impressed with his goals, assists, and impactful performances in crucial matches.

While most betting platforms favor Ousmane Dembele to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, Lamine Yamal and Barcelona’s Rafinha remain strong contenders.

Here is the men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees List: