Ballon d'Or 2025: Complete Guide to Football's Most Prestigious Award

What is the Ballon d'Or? Football's Ultimate Individual Honor

The Ballon d'Or (French for "Golden Ball") stands as football's most prestigious individual award, recognizing the world's best player each year since 1956. Presented by French magazine France Football in partnership with UEFA since 2024, this coveted golden trophy has become the ultimate symbol of individual excellence in football.

What began as a European-only award has evolved into a global celebration of football talent. The trophy itself—a golden football mounted on a pyrite base—represents the pinnacle of individual achievement in the beautiful game, with winners joining an exclusive club of football legends.

2025 Ballon d'Or Ceremony: Paris Welcomes Football's Elite

The 69th annual Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on September 22, 2025, at the magnificent Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. This prestigious venue, known for hosting world-class performances, provides the perfect backdrop for football's most glamorous evening.

Ceremony Schedule & Format

• Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
• Time: 8:00 PM CET (3:00 PM ET / 12:30 AM IST)
• Venue: Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris
• Hosts: Kate Scott and Ruud Gullit
• Format: Live rankings reveal throughout the evening

The ceremony follows a dramatic format where nominees are revealed in reverse order, building suspense as the evening progresses toward the ultimate winner announcement. Each category winner receives their award in a celebration befitting football's most prestigious night.

2025 Ballon d'Or Nominees: The World's Best Players

The 2025 nominations represent the most competitive field in recent memory, with 30 exceptional players vying for football's ultimate prize. This year's list spans multiple leagues and continents, showcasing the global nature of modern football excellence.

Leading Contenders for the Men's Award

Notable Nominees by Position

Position	Top Nominees	Key Achievements
Forwards	Haaland, Lewandowski, Kane	Combined 90+ goals across competitions
Midfielders	Bellingham, Pedri, Mac Allister	Champions League & international success
Defenders	Van Dijk, Hakimi, Rice	Defensive solidity & attacking contribution
Goalkeepers	Donnarumma, Courtois, Oblak	Clean sheets & crucial saves

The Rich History of the Ballon d'Or

Since its inception in 1956, the Ballon d'Or has witnessed football's evolution from a European competition to a global spectacle. The award was originally conceived by sports journalists Gabriel Hanot and Jacques Ferran to recognize European excellence in football.

Key Historical Milestones

The trophy's design has remained largely unchanged since 1956, featuring a golden football crafted by renowned French jeweler Mellerio dits Meller. Each trophy is unique and personalized for the winner, making it one of sport's most coveted individual prizes.

Ballon d'Or Voting Criteria: What Makes a Winner

The Ballon d'Or winner is determined through a sophisticated voting process involving specialized football journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations. Each voter selects their top five players, with points awarded on a 6-4-3-2-1 basis.

The Three Pillars of Excellence

Ballon d'Or Records & All-Time Statistics

The Ballon d'Or's rich history has produced numerous records and remarkable achievements that showcase the evolution of football excellence over nearly seven decades.

Record Holders

Wins by Country & Club

Complete Guide to All Ballon d'Or 2025 Awards

The Ballon d'Or ceremony celebrates excellence across multiple categories, recognizing the best talents in various aspects of football. Each award carries significant prestige within the football community.

Award Categories Breakdown

Award	Category	Key Nominees
Kopa Trophy	Best Under-21 Player	Lamine Yamal, João Neves, Pau Cubarsi
Yashin Trophy	Best Goalkeeper	Donnarumma, Courtois, Oblak
Gerd Müller Trophy	Top Scorer	Haaland, Kane, Lewandowski
Ballon d'Or Féminin	Best Women's Player	Aitana Bonmatí, Barbra Banda, Lucy Bronze
Club of the Year	Best Team Performance	Barcelona, Chelsea, PSG, Liverpool
Coach of the Year	Best Manager	Hansi Flick, Arne Slot, Luis Enrique

How to Watch the 2025 Ballon d'Or Ceremony Live

Don't miss football's most prestigious night! The ceremony will be broadcast globally across multiple platforms, ensuring fans worldwide can witness history in the making.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ballon d'Or

🏆 Who is the favorite to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or?

While the competition is incredibly tight, Lamine Yamal emerges as a strong favorite due to his exceptional performances at Euro 2024 and consistent brilliance with Barcelona. However, Ousmane Dembélé and Vinícius Júnior remain serious contenders.

📅 When will the Ballon d'Or 2025 winner be announced?

The winner will be revealed during the live ceremony on September 22, 2025, at 8:00 PM CET (3:00 PM ET) at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Rankings are revealed throughout the evening, building to the final announcement.

🗳️ How does Ballon d'Or voting work?

Specialized football journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries vote for their top 5 players. Points are awarded as follows: 1st place = 6 points, 2nd = 4 points, 3rd = 3 points, 4th = 2 points, 5th = 1 point. The player with the most total points wins.

🏅 Can a player win multiple Ballon d'Ors?

Yes! Lionel Messi holds the record with 8 Ballon d'Or wins, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with 5. Three players have won it three times: Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten.

🌍 Is the Ballon d'Or only for European players?

No, since 2007, the Ballon d'Or has been open to all professional footballers worldwide, regardless of nationality or league. The award was originally European-only (1956-1994), then expanded to include all players in European clubs (1995-2006).

💰 What does the Ballon d'Or winner receive?

The winner receives a personalized golden football trophy crafted by French jeweler Mellerio dits Meller, worth approximately €3,000. More importantly, they gain recognition as the world's best player and join an exclusive club of football legends.

Conclusion: The Ballon d'Or's Enduring Legacy

As the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches, we witness another chapter in football's most prestigious individual honor. From its humble beginnings as a European award to its current status as global football's ultimate prize, the Ballon d'Or continues to celebrate excellence, inspire generations, and create unforgettable moments in football history.

Whether Lamine Yamal makes history as one of the youngest winners ever, or another deserving candidate claims the golden ball, September 22, 2025, promises to be a night that will be remembered for years to come. The ceremony not only crowns the world's best player but also celebrates the beautiful game's power to unite, inspire, and create dreams.