Salah, Dembele, Yamal lead race for 2025 Ballon d’Or [Full List]

Some of football’s biggest names have been shortlisted for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the sport’s most prestigious individual honour.

The award, which has been won by legends like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Johan Cruyff, continues to celebrate the best talent in global football.

Messi holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or titles, three ahead of Ronaldo.

Rodri, who made history last year as the first Manchester City player to win the award, is not the only one in the spotlight this time. His 2024 win came after an exceptional season, lifting the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup with Manchester City, and helping Spain clinch Euro 2024.

For 2025, a 30-man shortlist filled with elite footballers from around the world has been released. Among the top favourites are Paris Saint-Germain stars Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, both instrumental in the club’s domestic league victory and Champions League success.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is also a leading contender, following a stellar season where he scored 29 goals and delivered 18 assists — breaking the Premier League record for most goal involvements in a single season.

Other major names on the list include Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal and Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay, who made headlines in his debut season at Napoli, securing the Serie A title and being named Player of the Year in Italy.

The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be announced on Monday, September 22, during a grand ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.