The Ballon d’Or, on Thursday, officially unveiled the 30-player shortlist for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, spotlighting the world’s finest footballers who have delivered exceptional performances over the past year.
This year’s list is a mix of familiar faces, rising stars, and unexpected inclusions, all of whom delivered outstanding performances across domestic leagues, continental tournaments, and international duty over the past 12 months.
Topping the list of favourites are Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé, Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland, and Real Madrid’s Brazilian sensation Vinicius Jr. Each of them played pivotal roles for both club and country, dominating headlines throughout the season.
England captain Harry Kane also makes the shortlist after a remarkable season with Bayern Munich, where he shattered goal-scoring records in the Bundesliga. His consistency and leadership continue to strengthen his claim for the coveted prize.
Veterans like Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, and Virgil van Dijk are also in contention, proving that age is no barrier to excellence. All three maintained high performance levels in their respective leagues and contributed significantly to their teams’ campaigns.
Several young guns have made a breakthrough this year and earned a spot on the list. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, still a teenager, continues to turn heads with his fearless play. Cole Palmer, who had a breakout season with Chelsea, and Joao Neves of Benfica also earned nods, showcasing the next generation of elite talent.
In midfield, names like Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister, and Florian Wirtz were recognised for their dynamism and creativity. Their contributions have been vital in both club triumphs and international success.
The shortlist also includes a few eyebrow-raising additions. Manchester United’s Scott McTominay makes the cut after a surprising run of match-winning performances. Raphinha, Pedri, and PSG fullback Achraf Hakimi also made the list, rounding out a diverse field of candidates.
The Ballon d’Or, organised annually by France Football, is awarded to the player deemed to have had the most impactful year in football, based on votes from international journalists, coaches, and captains.
While the final winner remains to be seen, the build-up to the ceremony is always a spectacle, with debates raging among fans, pundits, and ex-players over who deserves the honour most.
This year’s ceremony is expected to take place in Paris later this year, where the world will finally find out who takes home the golden ball. With no clear runaway favourite, the 2025 edition promises to be one of the most competitive yet.
Full list
Jude Bellingham
Ousmane Dembele
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
