Ballon d'Or 2025 nominees revealed: Bellingham, Yamal, Haaland, and Bonmati lead star-studded lists

Paris: The road to football’s most prestigious individual honour has officially begun as France Football unveiled the nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or on Thursday. The shortlist announcement, made via the L’Equipe website and app, includes the biggest names in the men’s and women’s game, recognising standout performances from the 2024-25 season.

This year’s Ballon d’Or — first awarded in 1956 — continues its expanded format, celebrating not only the best male and female footballers but also emerging talents, goalkeepers, coaches, clubs, and those making a humanitarian impact in the sport.

Men’s Ballon d’Or: Newcomers and Icons Collide

Among the 30 nominees for the Men’s Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland feature prominently. The list also includes seasoned stars like Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe, who now represents Real Madrid.

Paris Saint-Germain dominate the shortlist with multiple players, including Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, and young sensation Desire Doue. English Premier League talents such as Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Mohamed Salah also make the cut.

Full list of nominees includes:

Ousmane Dembele, Jude Bellingham, Desire Doue, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Scott McTominay, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Pedri, Cole Palmer, Michael Olise, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Florian Wirtz, Vitinha, Vinicius Junior, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah.

Women’s Ballon d’Or: Spanish Stars and Global Icons Shine

The Women’s Ballon d’Or nominations feature a formidable Spanish contingent, with Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, and Claudia Pina leading the charge from FC Barcelona. The list also includes legends like Marta, as well as rising stars such as Barbra Banda and Melchie Dumornay.

Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are well represented through Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze, Chloe Kelly, and Hannah Hampton.

Other nominees include:

Lucy Bronze, Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmati, Sandy Baltimore, Mariona Caldentey, Klara Buhl, Sofia Cantore, Steph Catley, Melchie Daelle Dumornay, Temwa Chawinga, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther Gonzalez, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Lindsey Heaps, Chloe Kelly, Marta, Frida Maanum, Ewa Pajor, Clara Mateo, Alessia Russo, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Johanna Kaneryd, Caroline Weir, Leah Williamson.

What’s Next?

The winners of the Ballon d’Or 2025 will be announced at a grand ceremony later this year in Paris. With a mix of breakout talents and established legends, this year’s edition promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

Stay tuned for updates on who will claim football’s most coveted crown.

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