Key Players Omitted from 2025 Ballon d’Or Shortlist
The 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist has been officially announced, and it includes a mix of established stars and emerging talents. However, some notable names have been left out, including Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who recently won the CAF Player of the Year award. Their exclusion has sparked surprise among fans and analysts alike, given their consistent performances for both club and country in the past year.
Despite their achievements, the list appears to favor players who have made a significant impact in European football, particularly in the UEFA Champions League and top-tier leagues across the continent. This trend is evident in the inclusion of several high-profile names, many of whom have played pivotal roles in their respective clubs' successes.
Paris Saint-Germain Dominates the Nomination List
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is well-represented on the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist, with multiple players from the French club making the cut. Ousmane Dembele, who led PSG to their first-ever Champions League title, is one of the standout names. His performance this season was instrumental in securing the club's historic victory.
Other PSG players included in the list are Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Desire Doue. The club’s treble-winning campaign, which also saw them win the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France, has significantly boosted their standing in the football world.
Standout Names and Rising Stars
In addition to the PSG contingent, several other top players have been named on the shortlist. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior are all included, as are Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Declan Rice. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who had an exceptional season with 29 goals and 18 assists, is another strong contender.
Young talents such as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, and PSG’s Joao Neves have also been recognized, highlighting the blend of experience and youth on the list. Legends like Robert Lewandowski and Virgil van Dijk continue to be acknowledged for their contributions to the sport.
Full List of 2025 Ballon d’Or Nominees
Here is the full list of men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon / Arsenal)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
- Scott McTominay (Napoli)
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
- Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Pedri (Barcelona)
- Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
- VinÃcius Junior (Real Madrid)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen / Liverpool)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
When Will the Ballon d’Or Take Place?
The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be announced on Monday, September 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This event promises to be a highly anticipated moment in the football calendar, as fans eagerly await the announcement of the next recipient of the prestigious award.
Women’s Yachine Trophy Nominations
In a separate development, Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the Women’s Yachine Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony. Other nominees include Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger, England’s Hannah Hampton, Spain’s Cata Coll, and the Netherlands’ Daphne van Domselaar. This recognition highlights the growing global representation in the awards.