By Umar Farouq Muhammad - U18MM1081
The highly anticipated Ballon d'Or 2025 nominees have been unveiled, setting the stage for the prestigious award ceremony on September 22 in Paris. This year's nominations span across men's and women's categories, including the Kopa Trophy for best young player and the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, recognizing outstanding performances from the 2024-25 season.
KEY CONTENDERS EMERGE
The shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d'Or features a star-studded lineup, with Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele widely considered a frontrunner. His stellar performances, including leading PSG to a historic treble and their first Champions League title, have placed him in prime contention. Other notable nominees include Barcelona's young sensation Lamine Yamal, whose breakout season has captured global attention, and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who delivered remarkable goal and assist numbers.
1. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
3. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
4. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
5. Vitinha (PSG)
6. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
7. Raphinha (Barcelona)
OTHER PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS
Beyond the main Ballon d'Or, several other accolades will be presented:
1. Kopa Trophy: This award recognizes the best young player under 21. Nominees include Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, and Michelle Agyemang.
2. Yashin Trophy: Awarded to the best goalkeeper, with Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie earning a nomination following her impressive performances.
3. Women's Coach of the Year: Justine Madugu, coach of the Nigerian women's national team, is the sole African representative in this category, nominated for guiding the Super Falcons to a record tenth continental title.
NOMINATION AND VOTING PROCESS
The selection process for the Ballon d'Or is overseen by a panel of journalists from France Football and L'Équipe. The shortlists are compiled based on performances from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, encompassing both club and international competitions. Voting involves journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries for the men's award and the top 50 for the women's award, with a strict points system determining the ultimate winners. The integrity of the process is maintained through a secure online platform and oversight by a third-party company.