The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony lights up Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet on September 22, 2025, at 8:00 PM. It will honor the world’s best footballer of the 2024/25 season.
With legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absent, new stars vie for the spotlight, but debates already swirl.
Lamine Yamal: Teen Prodigy
Barcelona’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal stunned with 19 goals and 24 assists across 65 matches, clinching a Spanish treble. He scored three times and assisted twice in four El Clásico games.
His record-breaking Champions League goal against Monaco and a breathtaking semi-final strike against Inter Milan won UEFA’s top goal award. Yet, his flashy 18th birthday bash stirred talk—will it sway voters?
Raphinha: Dominant Winger
Barcelona’s Raphinha ruled with 38 goals and 26 assists in 69 games. His hat-trick crushed Bayern Munich 4-1, erasing old defeats. He netted four goals in four El Clásico clashes.
A dramatic late goal in a 5-4 Benfica comeback sealed his legend. Despite leading Europe in goals and assists, some say he might not crack the top three, sparking fairness concerns.
Ousmane Dembélé: Comeback Star
PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé defied doubters, scoring 33 goals and adding 13 assists in 59 games, securing four trophies. His clutch strike against Manchester City saved PSG’s Champions League run.
He scored against Liverpool in the Round of 16 and clinched a semi-final win over Arsenal. Can his redemption arc win the prize?
Mohamed Salah: Steady Legend
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah racked up 34 goals and 23 assists in 61 games, earning the Premier League’s top scorer and player awards. His consistency powered Liverpool’s title win. Will it outshine the flash of his rivals?
A Night of Debate
The Ballon d’Or will decide what football prizes most: Yamal’s youth, Raphinha’s brilliance, Dembélé’s revival, or Salah’s reliability. Paris is set for a night of thrills and arguments.
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