The theme of the Ballon d’Or this year could be first-time winners as new contenders in the men’s and women’s game convene in Paris on Monday, hopeful of winning soccer’s most prestigious individual prize.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele is the favorite to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, a reward after a career-best season in the French capital. The France international scored 35 goals across all competitions for a new-look PSG side constructed expertly by manager Luis Enrique after Kylian Mbappe’s departure, eventually playing a key role as the team won their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Dembele, who is nursing a thigh injury, is expected to be in attendance despite the fact that PSG play at the same time as the ceremony to potentially succeed Manchester City’s Rodri as the Ballon d’Or winner. His main competitor for the individual honor is Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who played a central role in their domestic double-winning season and notched 18 goals and 21 assists last season – and all before his 18th birthday.
On the women’s side, there is no obvious favorite after an exciting season in Europe. England disrupted Spain’s period of dominance as Arsenal beat Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final a few weeks before England outdid Spain in the final of the Women’s Euro, expanding the list of contenders for the Ballon d’Or. Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly are the only nominees to lift both trophies and would be the first English winner of the women’s Ballon d’Or since the award was introduced in 2018, but the field feels wide-open. Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, the last two winners of the accolade, are amongst the list of nominees, as are England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze and Spain and Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentay.
Several other awards will be handed out on Monday, including the Kopa Trophy for young players, the Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers, the Johan Cruyff Trophy for coaches and the club of the year award. The full list of nominees is here.
Follow along as we build up to the ceremony, as well as updates once the event officially begins.
How to watch the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony
- Date: Monday, Sept. 22 | Time: Red Carpet: 2 p.m. ET; Ceremony: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Theatre du Chatelet — Paris
- Live stream: CBS Sports Golazo Network
