Ballon d’Or 2025: Who Are the Top Contenders for the Awards?

The Ballon d’Or 2025 winners will be crowned tonight in Paris. The awards will honor the best male and female players for their performances last season. Football fans around the world are waiting to see who will lift the golden trophies at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

According to BBC and Reuters, the men’s list is filled with stars who had record-breaking seasons. The women’s list includes Champions League and Euro winners who shaped the game. Both races are highly competitive and will be decided by fine margins.

Who Are Contenders for Ballon d’Or Awards This Year?

For the men’s prize, six players stand out. Ousmane Dembele helped Paris Saint-Germain win their first Champions League, scoring 35 goals and 14 assists in 53 games. He was named Champions League player of the season.

Harry Kane finally won silverware at Bayern Munich. He scored 41 goals and added 12 assists in 51 games. Kane’s form in September, with 10 goals in 11 days, showed his lethal touch.

Kylian Mbappe’s first year at Real Madrid was stunning. He hit 31 La Liga goals and finished the season with 44 goals in all games. He also became the third Frenchman to reach 50 international goals.

Barcelona’s Raphinha had a breakthrough season. With 34 goals and 22 assists in 57 matches, he won La Liga player of the season. He was also joint-top scorer in the Champions League.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah returned to his best. He scored 29 goals in the Premier League and had 18 assists. His 47 goal involvements tied the league record in a single season.

Teenager Lamine Yamal impressed with 18 goals and 21 assists for Barcelona. At just 18, he played a key role in the club’s treble-winning season.

The women’s race is also tight. Aitana Bonmati could win for the third year in a row. She scored 12 goals and six assists despite battling health issues during the Euros.

Alessia Russo had a dream season with Arsenal and England. She won the Champions League and Euro 2025, finishing joint-top scorer in the WSL.

Alexia Putellas is also in contention. With 16 goals and 11 assists, she led Barcelona to another domestic treble.

Claudia Pina was the top scorer in the Champions League and netted 24 goals in all competitions. Her form made her one of the biggest threats.

Lucy Bronze overcame injury to help Chelsea win a domestic treble and England lift the Euro 2025 trophy. She played vital minutes despite a fractured tibia.

Mariona Caldentey was another standout. She joined Arsenal and won the Champions League, while also scoring in the Euro 2025 final.

What This Year’s Ballon d’Or Race Means

The Ballon d’Or is more than a trophy. It is the ultimate recognition of football brilliance. For players like Kane, it would seal a career long defined by goals. For Mbappe, it would confirm his rise as Real Madrid’s leader. For Dembele, it would be proof of his comeback to world-class form.

On the women’s side, it could cement Bonmati’s legacy as the best of her generation. Or it could mark Russo’s arrival at the very top after a historic year. Putellas and Pina remain strong names with huge fan support.

The 2025 Ballon d’Or contenders have delivered goals, titles, and records. Tonight, Paris will reveal who will take home football’s most famous prize.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who are contenders for Ballon d’Or awards this year?

Top men’s contenders include Dembele, Kane, Mbappe, Raphinha, Salah, and Yamal. Women’s contenders include Bonmati, Russo, Putellas, Pina, Bronze, and Caldentey.

Q2: When will the Ballon d’Or 2025 winners be announced?

The winners will be announced on 22 September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

Q3: Who won the most Ballon d’Or titles in history?

Lionel Messi holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or awards. Cristiano Ronaldo is next with five.

Q4: How is the Ballon d’Or winner chosen?

A jury of 100 journalists from top FIFA-ranked nations vote. They assess players’ impact, trophies, and performances.

Q5: Can a defender win the Ballon d’Or?

It is rare but possible. The last defender to win was Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 after Italy’s World Cup win.

References

BBC Sport. (2025, September 22). Ballon d’Or contenders overview.
Reuters. (2025, September 22). Ballon d’Or ceremony details.
Associated Press. (2025). Player performance records 2024-25 season.
France Football. (2025). Official Ballon d’Or nominees list.