Ballon d’Or 2025: Bellingham, Mbappé, And Haaland Headline Men’s Nominees
Paris, France – The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, has unveiled its 30-player shortlist for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, showcasing a dazzling array of global talent. Announced on Thursday, the list features a blend of established stars, rising prodigies, and unexpected names who have excelled across domestic leagues, continental competitions, and international duties over the past year.
Leading the contenders are Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, each recognised for their pivotal roles at club and international levels. Bellingham, the dynamic English midfielder, has been lauded for his commanding presence in Real Madrid’s campaigns, while Mbappé’s explosive debut season at the same club saw him notch an impressive 45 goals, despite a lack of team silverware. Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine, continues to dominate with his prolific scoring for Manchester City, keeping him firmly in the conversation for the coveted prize.
Other notable names include Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, who spearheaded their historic Champions League triumph with 35 goals and 15 assists, earning him widespread acclaim as a frontrunner. Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, aged just 17, has also captured attention with 19 La Liga goals and 26 assists, contributing to the club’s domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, with 36 goals and 24 assists in their Premier League-winning season, remains a strong contender, though his lack of European success may temper his chances.
The shortlist also celebrates veterans like Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, who shattered Bundesliga scoring records, and Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, whose 42 goals across all competitions defy his age. Emerging talents such as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay have earned surprising but well-deserved nods for their match-winning contributions. PSG’s Vitinha and Achraf Hakimi, alongside Benfica’s Joao Neves, highlight the growing influence of midfield and defensive excellence in the race.
Organised by France Football, the Ballon d’Or is decided by a panel of international journalists, coaches, and captains, who vote based on individual brilliance, team achievements, and fair play. The nominees reflect performances from August 2024 to July 2025, with key weight given to successes in competitions like the UEFA Champions League and Euro 2024. The ceremony, set for 22 September 2025 at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet, promises to be a fiercely contested affair, with no clear favourite emerging.
Among the unexpected inclusions are Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries and Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, recognised for their standout roles in their respective leagues. Barcelona’s Raphinha, with 39 goals and 25 assists, and PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, a stalwart in goal during their quadruple-winning season, further diversify the field.
As anticipation builds, fans and pundits are debating whether experience, youth, or sheer goal-scoring prowess will sway voters. With the likes of Vinicius Jr., Florian Wirtz, and Alexis Mac Allister also in contention, the 2025 Ballon d’Or race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, celebrating the global game’s brightest stars.
