There’s something about Paris in late September. The air cools off, the Seine’s lights seem to sparkle a little more, and around the Théâtre du Châtelet, you can feel the anticipation building.
This coming Monday, September 22, 2025, the football world will zero in on France’s capital for the Ballon d’Or ceremony that one magical night where careers get crowned, legacies are shaped, and dreams either come true or get pushed back.
This year feels different, though. No Messi, Ronaldo and even Rodri, who lifted the trophy last year. Instead, we’ve got a fresh batch of contenders, some you know well, others who might surprise you, all hungry to grab football’s most coveted individual prize.
A Fresh Start After The Messi-Ronaldo Era
For the first time in what feels like forever, the shortlist isn’t overshadowed by the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly. It’s like a clean slate, with thirty players representing the very best of today’s game and tomorrow’s.
What stands out the most? Paris Saint-Germain absolutely dominates the list with ten nominees. That’s no shocker, given their treble-winning season and how they pretty much ruled Europe last year.
PSG captain Marquinhos summed it up well in a recent chat with L’Équipe: “When you win everything there is to win, people will notice. But the Ballon d’Or isn’t just about trophies, it’s about how you change games, how you inspire.”
PSG’s Top 10 Contenders for the Award
Here’s the full list of PSG players in the mix:
• Ousmane Dembélé
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
• Achraf Hakimi
• Gianluigi Donnarumma
• Marquinhos
• Warren Zaïre-Emery
• Vitinha
• Gonçalo Ramos
• Lucas Hernández
• Désiré Doué
And the rest of the pack? Big names from top clubs like:
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
• Scott McTominay (Napoli)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
• Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)
• Declan Rice (Arsenal)
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
• Micheal Olise (Bayern Munich)
• Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Let's Break down PSG’s nominees List
Ousmane Dembélé
Dembélé finally put it all together this season, the kind of year everyone’s been waiting on since he first showed what he could do. Over 50 games, 18 goals, and 21 assists. But it wasn’t just numbers, it was how he showed up in the big moments.
Remember the Champions League semifinal second leg? He tore through defenses and scored twice, basically sealing PSG’s path forward.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
At 24, he's already one of the most creative wingers in Europe. Quick feet, creativity, and crucial performance for big-game, last season he scored 19 goals and 14 assists, proving why PSG fought hard to get him.
Achraf Hakimi
Twelve goals and fourteen assists from a right-back? Those stats are rare for a defender. Add in his leadership, and Hakimi’s name has to be in the Ballon d’Or conversation this year.
Marquinhos
Stats only tell part of the story with Marquinhos. He’s the calm in the chaos, especially in tight Champions League games organizing the defense, calming nerves, leading by example.
Warren Zaïre-Emery
Only 20, but this midfield maestro kept a 92% pass completion rate in Europe’s toughest matches. Always an outlet under pressure, always controlling the tempo.
Vitinha
The quiet link between defense and attack. His quick passing kept PSG ticking, and that long-range goal against Bayern? Pure class.
Gonçalo Ramos
He scored 29 goals this season, including a hat-trick in the Coupe de France final.
Lucas Hernández
Returned from injury just in time to steady the backline alongside Marquinhos. Aerially strong and composed under pressure.
Désiré Doué
The surprise package. Quick, fearless, and tricky, Doué brought a fresh edge to PSG’s attack, with six goals and nine assists in his breakout year. Fans have even nicknamed him “the spark” and it’s easy to see why.
Lamine Yamal chasing history
At just 17, Lamine Yamal has already made himself a household name at Barcelona. Last season, he delivered 12 goals and 18 assists across all competitions, but his impact went beyond numbers.
He ripped apart defences in big matches, provided decisive moments in El Clásico, and was instrumental in Barca’s domestic cup triumph.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick summed it up perfectly: “Lamine doesn’t play like a teenager. He has vision, courage, and the ability to change a game in seconds.”
No teenager has ever won the Ballon d’Or. Could Yamal be the first to rewrite the history books?
Haaland The Goal Machine
Haaland scored 41 goals in 48 games for Manchester City, breaking Premier League records as he went. Though City didn’t win the treble again, you can’t argue with those numbers.
Salah’s steady brilliance
Liverpool won the Premier League Cup last season, but Salah’s steady form was still a greenlight. Even at 33, he scored 27 goals and 15 assist. Leading a younger Liverpool squad, he’s earned a lot of respect.
Scott McTominay’s fairytale story
From nearly getting released by Manchester United to Serie A MVP with Napoli, McTominay’s rise has been the stuff of dreams. Sixteen goals from midfield and a league title to show for it, and now he’s up there with Europe’s best.
Cole Palmer’s breakout season
Palmer went from Chelsea hopeful to the club’s standout player in just one season. With 25 goals and 14 assists, he was the Premier League’s surprise star.
His coolness under pressure, especially when taking penalties earned him the nickname “Cold Palmer” among fans.
Chelsea’s boss Enzo Maresca said it best: “He’s fearless in front of goal. For such a young player to handle that responsibility says it all.”
Other players to keep an eye on
• Vinícius Júnior’s explosive pace still makes defenders miserable.
• Harry Kane adapted quickly to Bayern, scoring 35 goals in his first Bundesliga season.
• Declan Rice’s dominance in midfield help Arsenal’s race for the title, controlling games with key tackles, interceptions, and important goals in big matches.
• Michael Olise, just 23, has dazzled with his flair, vision, and ability to unlock defenses in tight games.
With No Messi, Ronaldo, or Rodri – What’s Different This Time?
Without these giants, the Ballon d’Or race feels wide open. Younger players see their chance, veterans like Salah and Kane might have their last real shot, and voters have to pick from a truly unpredictable bunch.
Key Factors That Will Decide the Winner
There are a few key things voters look for when choosing a winner:
• Did they deliver in the biggest finals?
• Were they consistent throughout the season?
• Did they show leadership beyond just stats?
• Is there a story behind their season that grabs attention?
The fans have their favorites
If you scroll through social media, you’ll find Bellingham and Yamal as the most talked-about names worldwide.
PSG fans are split between Dembélé, Hakimi, and young Doué. Meanwhile, English supporters are throwing serious hype behind Cole Palmer, arguing he was Chelsea’s biggest impact player this season maybe even rivaling Bellingham’s influence at Madrid.
My Honest Prediction on Who Deserves It
If I am to pick a favorite right now, dembele feels like the best choice. He’s got the numbers, the good moments, and he leads in one of football’s toughest environments. Voters love a safe bet, and he fits the mold.
But Yamal’s got that “youngest nominee ever” story that could make headlines. His Champions League final goal already feels like one of those unforgettable moments.
Hakimi’s a bit of an outlier, a defender who attacks like a forward. If a defender’s ever going to win it, maybe this is the year.
Cole Palmer is my dark horse. Sometimes voters split between established stars and one wild card, and Palmer’s Premier League breakout was massive.
McTominay’s story is the classic fairytale voters adore, but midfielders without continental trophies rarely take it home.
If I had to rank my top five today, it’d look like this:
1. Ousmane Dembele
2. Lamine Yamal
3. Achraf Hakimi
4. Declan Rice
5. Cole Palmer
Why 2025 will be remembered
This feels like a changing of the guard. The big names we know are fading out, and a new list of stars is stepping in. People will be arguing about this in pubs, on podcasts, and even on school playground.
When the curtain rises at Théâtre du Châtelet, one name will step into football’s most exclusive club. Whether it’s Bellingham’s calm, Yamal’s flair, Haaland’s power, or Palmer’s surprise run, this ceremony will define how we remember the 2024-25 season.