The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place tonight, Monday, September 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and anticipation is sky-high.

This year’s edition has been packed with drama, leaks, and fierce debate over who deserves football’s most prestigious individual prize.

The frontrunners for the Men’s Ballon d’Or include:


  • Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): Scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions, helping PSG to a historic treble including their first-ever Champions League title.

  • Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): The teenage sensation racked up 21 goals and 26 assists, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa with Barça.

  • Vitinha (PSG): Key midfield engine for club and country, lifting the Nations League with Portugal.

  • Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Expected to be the highest-ranked Premier League player.

Ceremony Details


  • Venue: Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris

  • Time: 9:00 PM CET (7:00 PM GMT)

  • Hosts: Kate Scott and Ruud Gullit

  • Awards: Men’s & Women’s Ballon d’Or, Kopa Trophy (Best U21), Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper), Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer), Johan Cruyff Trophy (Best Coach), Club of the Year, and Socrates Award (Humanitarian Impact)

Last year’s winner was Rodri, but he missed most of the 2024/25 season due to injury and wasn’t nominated this time. Lionel Messi still holds the record with 8 Ballon d’Or wins, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 5.

Tonight’s ceremony could mark a generational shift, with young stars like Yamal and Vitinha poised to take the mantle from the old guard.