The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is heating up, with several standout performers across Europe staking strong claims for football’s most prestigious individual honour. France Football has officially confirmed that the list of nominees will be unveiled on August 7, with the award ceremony scheduled for September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
From Champions League glory to domestic dominance, this year’s Ballon d’Or contenders have delivered in style. Here are the ten leading favourite nominees ahead of the official announcement.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 17, Yamal has become the face of Barcelona’s new era. Despite their Champions League semi-final exit, his dazzling displays, including a brace in Spain’s Nations League thriller against France, have earned Messi comparisons. With a domestic double under his belt, Yamal is a generational talent in contention for a place in history.
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
A driving force in PSG’s Champions League-winning campaign, Dembélé’s pace, creativity and big-game moments, especially in the final against Inter, have elevated him into serious Ballon d’Or consideration. He’s arguably had the best season of his career under Luis Enrique.
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Vitinha capped off an extraordinary season by winning both the Champions League with PSG and the Nations League with Portugal. His transformation from Wolves cast-off to elite midfielder is remarkable, and his trophy-laden campaign has pushed him into the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah led Liverpool to the Premier League title under Arne Slot, but his Champions League struggles, including failing to score against PSG, may hurt his Ballon d’Or chances. Nonetheless, his consistency and leadership this season can’t be overlooked.
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha enjoyed a record-breaking campaign for Barcelona, tallying 34 goals and 25 assists and finishing as joint-top scorer in the Champions League with 13 goals. His form helped Barca secure a treble domestically, though their European exit may prove costly in the final reckoning.
Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain)
Still just 19, Doué delivered a jaw-dropping Man of the Match performance in the Champions League final, scoring twice and assisting another in PSG’s win over Inter. His fearless rise and clutch contributions have made him one of the most exciting young talents in world football and a genuine Ballon d’Or contender.
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Now at Real Madrid, Mbappé finished as La Liga’s top scorer and could still add the Club World Cup to his collection. Long viewed as a Ballon d’Or heir, his consistency and goal-scoring exploits keep him firmly in the mix.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)
Kvaratskhelia’s January arrival at PSG gave them a boost en route to another Ligue 1 crown and a Champions League title. The Georgian winger played a key role across both competitions, delivering goals and assists at crucial moments and thriving under pressure.
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
Mendes cemented his place among the world’s elite with a superb Champions League campaign. He shut down Mohamed Salah in the last 16 and scored in both legs of the quarter-final against Aston Villa. His blend of attacking flair and defensive reliability makes him a dark horse for the Ballon d’Or.
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Arguably the world’s best right-back, Hakimi delivered on every stage this season. His goals in the Champions League quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final helped PSG lift the trophy. With a blend of consistency, experience and elite-level impact, the Moroccan is a strong favourite to make the final shortlist.
