New Era Begins: Messi, Ronaldo absent as Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees unveiled

Femi Fabunmi

The list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2025 has been officially released. The award will be presented on September 22, 2025, in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

This year’s nominations are based on players’ performances from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. Since there were fewer international tournaments during this period, club performances played a bigger role in the selection.

For the first time in many years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not included among the nominees, showing a shift toward a new generation of football stars.

Top Contenders

Some of the leading names include:

• Mohamed Salah
• Kylian Mbappe
• Erling Haaland
• Lautaro Martinez
• Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona forward, is also nominated and is among the favorites for the Kopa Trophy (awarded to the best player under 21).

Other notable players on the list include:

• Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
• Desire Doue (PSG)
• Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Goalkeepers like Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) and Alisson Becker (Liverpool) are being considered for the Yachine Trophy, which is awarded to the best goalkeeper.

This year’s list brings together experienced stars and young talent who stood out with their performance and consistency.

Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025: Full List of Nominees

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
• Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
• Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)
• Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
• Vitinha (PSG)
• Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen/Liverpool)
• Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
• Declan Rice (Arsenal)
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
• Michael Olise (PSG)
• Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
• Pedri (Barcelona)
• Joao Neves (PSG)
• Nuno Mendes (PSG)
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
• Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
• Scott McTominay (Napoli)
• Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
• Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
• Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP/Arsenal)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
• Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
• Desire Doue (PSG)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
• Kopa Trophy 2025: Notable Nominees

Awarded to the best under-21 player:

• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
• Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
• Desire Doue (PSG)
• Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid)
• And others