The 2025 edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place tonight at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in honor of the top male footballer from 2024/25 season and will be be chosen based on; individual performances, decisive and impressive character, Team performances and achievements, and Class and fair play.
Reports claim that Ousmane Dembélé leads as the favorite to win as he has driven Paris Saint-Germain to a quadruple with 37 goals and 14 assists in 59 appearances.
Other strong contenders include Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal with 21 goals and 25 assists for Barca, and a National League title to his name, Mohammed Salah of Liverpool who secured Premier League title for his team with 38 goals and 22 assists, Raphinha of Barcelona with 38 goals and 23 assists from 64 games, among several other contenders.
It still a huge wonder who the winner of the 69th edition will be tonight as there has been no hints. Spanish Journalist Edu Aguirre expressed his thoughts on the winner saying, “I think Lamine Yamal has won the Ballon d’Or.”
Fans agree with this thought saying Yamal was the best player in the world last season and deserves the Ballon d’Or tonight.
“Some may think it’s a crazy idea, but Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or in 2025. You can forget my words but if you see the titles this year for the Catalan team, know that Lamine Yamal is the reason for those titles,” said Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney in August.
While some feel strongly that the title should go to Yamal, others are of the opinion that Salah should be the winner, “For me, the Ballon d’Or winner should be Mo Salah.
“He’s the best player. He scores so much, provides so many assists. The most balanced player last season was Salah,” said Casemiro.
What is the Ballon d’Or?
This is the most prestigious accolade presented to a footballer annually by France Football since 1956 in recognition of their outstanding achievements and exceptional talent.
Which awards will be presented tonight?
The ceremony will feature awards across several categories including; the Men’s Ballon d’Or (best player, 2024/25 season), the Women’s Ballon d’Or (best player, 2024/25 season), the Men’s Kopa Trophy (best young player, 2024/25 season), the Women’s Kopa Trophy (best young player, 2024/25 season), the Men’s Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper, 2024/25 season), the Women’s Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper, 2024/25 season), the Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer in club/national team, 2024/25 season), the Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer in club/national team, 2024/25 season), the Men’s Johan Cryuff Trophy (top scorer in club/national team, 2024/25 season), the Women’s Johan Cryuff Trophy (top scorer in club/national team, 2024/25 season), the Men’s Club of the Year Trophy, and Sócrates Award.
Do players have to return their trophies?
No. An original trophy is made for every category every year and each laureate gets to keep their original trophy. Laureates also have the option of asking for an additional official replica of their trophies. There are theoretically 70 official Men’s Ballon d’Or trophies and 6 Women’s Ballon d’Or trophies in circulation throughout the world.
The 69th edition of the ceremony will be hosted by Dutch football legend and former winner of the same award Ruud Gullit, alongside British journalist and prominent television sports personality Kate Scott.
