Ballon d’Or 2025: Full list of top contenders for Men’s Women’s Awards

The spotlight will be on Paris this Monday as the Théâtre du Châtelet hosts the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony, where the world’s best male and female footballers will be crowned for the 2024–25 season.

With 30 nominees already announced, the race is heating up as six leading contenders have emerged from both the men’s and women’s categories.

Each player comes into the ceremony with a remarkable season, backed by records, trophies, and unforgettable performances.

Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Top Contenders

1. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris St-Germain)

Inspired PSG to their first-ever Champions League title, scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions.

2. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Netted 41 goals in 51 games, led Bayern to the Bundesliga crown, and claimed his first major career trophy.

3. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

Scored 44 goals in 59 matches during his debut season in Spain, finishing as La Liga’s top scorer.

4. Raphinha (Barcelona)

Produced 34 goals and 22 assists, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España.

5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Fired Liverpool to the Premier League title with 34 goals and 23 assists, also winning the Golden Boot.

6. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

At just 18, registered 18 goals and 21 assists, guiding Barcelona to a treble and earning spots in both La Liga and Champions League teams of the season.

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Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Top Contenders

1. Aitana Bonmatí (Bar Contender)

Two-time reigning Ballon d’Or winner, scored 12 goals with six assists despite an injury scare during the Euros.

2. Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

Won both the Champions League and Euro 2025, finishing as joint-top scorer in the Women’s Super League.

3. Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Added 16 goals and 11 assists to help Barcelona secure a domestic treble, aiming for her third Ballon d’Or.

4. Claudia Pina (Barcelona)

Top scorer in the Champions League, with 24 goals for her club and six for Spain, alongside a domestic treble.

5. Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)

Overcame a fractured tibia to win Euro 2025 with England and a domestic treble with Chelsea.

6. Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

Made an instant impact at Arsenal, winning the Champions League and WSL player of the year award.

With the stage set, anticipation is high as fans across the globe wait to see if Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy will inspire new record-breakers, or if the women’s category will witness a historic third consecutive win for Aitana Bonmatí.

Monday night promises unforgettable moments as football’s most coveted individual prizes are handed out in Paris.