The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, returns in 2025 with new contenders, fierce debates, and the same golden prize that crowns the best footballer in the world. But how is the Ballon d’Or winner actually decided? Who votes, what are the criteria, and who are the top favorites for the 2025 edition?

Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know, from the Ballon d’Or 2025 voting process to the announcement date and key players to watch.

When is the Ballon d'Or 2025 Ceremony?

The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner will be officially announced on 22 September 2025 during a glamorous ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. The event will also feature the presentation of other major awards, including:

• Kopa Trophy - Best Under-21 Player
• Yashin Trophy - Best Goalkeeper
• Manager of the Year Award - Best Manager
• Club of the Year - Best Team

Who Votes for the Ballon d'Or?

The Ballon d'Or voting system is a two-step process led by France Football magazine in collaboration with L'Équipe:

1. Nomination Stage

A shortlist of 30 players is curated based on performances during the previous season. This list is compiled by a panel of France Football editors, analysts, and occasionally former players.

2. Voting Stage

• One journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries submits a ranked list of 10 players.
• Each position earns a set number of points:
  1st place (15 points), 2nd (12), 3rd (10), 4th (8), 5th (7), 6th (5), 7th (4), 8th (3), 9th (2), 10th (1).
• The player with the most total points wins.

In the event of a tie, the number of first-place votes becomes the tiebreaker.

Ballon d'Or Voting Criteria:

• Individual Performance
• Team Achievements
• Fair Play and Sportsmanship

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is the current holder of the Ballon d'Or (2024)

Ballon d'Or Women's Award: Ballon d'Or Féminin

The Ballon d'Or Féminin was introduced in 2018, recognizing the best female footballer globally. The 2025 women's Ballon d’Or will follow the same voting structure, but only 50 journalists from the top FIFA nations are invited to vote.

Notable past winners:

• Aitana Bonmatí (Spain) – 2023, 2024
• Alexia Putellas (Spain) – 2021, 2022
• Megan Rapinoe (USA) – 2019
• Ada Hegerberg (Norway) – 2018

Barcelona Aitana Bonmati is the 2024 Women's Ballon d'or winner

Evolution of the Ballon d’Or: From 1956 to Today

The Ballon d’Or has undergone several transformations since it was first awarded in 1956:

• 1956–1994: Only European players were eligible.
• 1995–2006: Open to all nationalities but only players at European clubs.
• 2007–present: Open to all players worldwide.
• 2010–2015: Temporarily merged with FIFA’s award and renamed the FIFA Ballon d’Or.
• Post-2016: France Football regained full control. FIFA created the Best FIFA Men’s Player award.

Since 2022, voting is based on performance across a full season (August–July), rather than a calendar year.

Most Ballon d'Or Wins in History

No conversation about the Ballon d'Or is complete without mentioning the greatest winners:

• Lionel Messi – 8 Ballon d'Or titles
• Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 titles
• Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten – 3 titles each

Only a few defensive players have claimed the honor:

• Franz Beckenbauer (CB) – Twice
• Fabio Cannavaro (CB) – Once
• Lev Yashin – Still the only goalkeeper to win (1963)

Ballon d’Or 2025: Top Contenders to Watch

As the voting window for the Ballon d'Or 2025 nears its close, several players have emerged as frontrunners based on their club and international performances.

Leading Ballon d’Or 2025 Candidates:

• Ousmane Dembélé - PSG / France | Forward
• Kylian Mbappé - Real Madrid / France | Forward
• Lautaro Martínez - Inter Milan / Argentina | Forward
• Lamine Yamal - Barcelona / Spain | Forward
• Pedri - Barcelona / Spain | Midfielder
• Mohamed Salah - Liverpool / Egypt | Forward
• Desire Doué - PSG / France | Forward
• Kvicha Kvaratskhelia - PSG / Georgia | Forward
• Raphinha - Barcelona / Brazil | Forward
• Gianluigi Donnarumma - PSG / Italy | Goalkeeper

Many experts believe Mbappé, now with Real Madrid, could finally claim his long-awaited crown, while teenage phenom Lamine Yamal has dazzled in both La Liga and international fixtures.

Why is the Ballon d’Or sometimes controversial?

Despite its stature, the Ballon d’Or has not escaped criticism:

• Bias towards attackers over defensive players.
• Heavy emphasis on team success (Champions League, World Cup).
• Exclusivity of journalist voting, not involving players or coaches.
• Perceived regional favoritism.
• Debate on the relevance of individual awards in a team sport.

Still, the Ballon d'Or remains the most coveted individual accolade in world football.

Who Will Win the Ballon d'Or 2025?

The countdown to the Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony has begun. With contenders like Mbappé, Lautaro Martínez, and Lamine Yamal putting in stellar performances, the race is wide open.

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