THE Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris will host 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony tonight.
The ceremony is where the world’s finest footballers in the men’s and women’s categories will be crowned for the 2024/25 season.
Unlike in previous editions, this year’s award will not factor in performances from the new campaign, meaning the accolade is based strictly on last season’s achievements.
Men’s category
Many football fans believe that any of Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha of Barcelona will clinch the men’s award.
Dembele heads into the night as one of the frontrunners after inspiring the French champions to their maiden UEFA Champions League triumph and another Ligue 1 title.
Salah remains a strong contender following a record-breaking season that delivered a 20th English league crown for the Merseyside club. Salah scored 29 goals and created 18 assists, equaling the all-time Premier League record for goal involvements in a single campaign.
Raphinha has also emerged as one of the season’s standout performers. The Brazilian recorded 34 goals and 25 assists, powering the Catalans to a domestic double, although their Champions League heartbreak may weigh against him.
Another Barcelona prodigy, Lamine Yamal, also on the scorecard, enjoyed a breakout year, while PSG midfielder Vitinha has moved into the top bracket of candidates after key contributions to both his club’s treble and Portugal’s Nations League success.
Women’s category
England’s Euro 2025 triumph and Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League victory have heavily influenced the women’s shortlist.
Alessia Russo, who scored in both finals, is regarded as one of the favourites. The striker also claimed the Women’s Super League Golden Boot and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.
Arsenal teammate Leah Williamson is also in contention, alongside Mariona Caldentey, whose switch from Barcelona to the Gunners proved decisive in Europe.
Caldentey was named WSL Player of the Year and scored in Spain’s Euro 2025 final, though her side fell short in the penalty shootout.
Two-time winner Alexia Putellas and reigning Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmatí are in the running again.
Putellas registered 16 goals and 11 assists in Barcelona’s domestic treble, while Bonmatí played a vital role in Spain’s journey to the Euro final despite health setbacks before the tournament.
Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze is another high-profile nominee. The veteran defender was crucial in her club’s domestic treble and battled through injury to help England win the Euros, though her position as a defender may reduce her chances compared to attacking players.
Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton is also tipped for the Women’s Yashin Award after her heroics in the Euro final shootout, which could limit her prospects for the Ballon d’Or.
The Ballon d’Or, first presented in 1956 by French magazine France Football, remains football’s most prestigious individual honour. It has historically been dominated by legends such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who shared the award for over a decade.
However, some football legends never claimed the Ballon d’Or despite glittering careers. These include Neymar, Thierry Henry, Robert Lewandowski, Andrés Iniesta, and David Beckham.
Lewandowski, for instance, could have won the award in 2020 had the award not been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance