The anticipation for football’s most prestigious individual honour has begun as the Ballon d’Or organizers officially revealed the 30 nominees for the 2025 Men’s award on Thursday.
The shortlist includes a blend of established superstars and rising talents who have impressed on both club and international stages over the past season.
Leading the lineup are England midfielder Jude Bellingham, France’s Kylian Mbappé, Norway’s goal machine Erling Haaland, Brazil’s dynamic winger Vinicius Jr., and England captain Harry Kane —all of whom had exceptional campaigns.
Seasoned icons like Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowsk, and Virgil van Dijk also made the cut, maintaining their status among football’s elite. Emerging names such as Lamine Yamal, Joao Neves, and Cole Palmer received their first Ballon d’Or nominations after breakthrough performances that caught the attention of fans and pundits alike.
The award, presented annually by France Football, celebrates the most outstanding individual contributions in world football. According to the organisers, it honours players who demonstrate “extraordinary talent, consistency, and influence on the game globally.”
The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be revealed later this year during a gala ceremony expected to attract top figures from across the football world.
Full List of 2025 Ballon d’Or Men’s Nominees:
* Jude Bellingham
* Ousmane Dembélé
* Gianluigi Donnarumma
* Désiré Doué
* Denzel Dumfries
* Serhou Guirassy
* Viktor Gyökeres
* Erling Haaland
* Achraf Hakimi
* Harry Kane
* Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
* Robert Lewandowski
* Alexis Mac Allister
* Lautaro Martinez
* Kylian Mbappé
* Scott McTominay
* Nuno Mendes
* Joao Neves
* Michael Olise
* Cole Palmer
* Pedri
* Raphinha
* Declan Rice
* Fabian Ruiz
* Mohamed Salah
* Virgil van Dijk
* Vinicius Jr.
* Vitinha
* Florian Wirtz
* Lamine Yamal
The final voting process will involve journalists from around the world, each casting their ballots for the player they believe has defined the year in football.
