Ballon d’or Nominees and Ranking

 


Alright — here’s a full joined write-up containing all the Ballon d’Or nominees, rankings, additional award categories, and major contenders for each trophy in one continuous, keyword-rich, 1900-word format.





Ballon d’Or 2025 – Full Overview, Rankings, and Major Contenders



The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. With a mix of familiar names and rising stars, this year’s shortlist features players who have dominated club football and shone on the international stage. Alongside the prestigious Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or, the ceremony will also present other major awards such as the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Gerd Müller Trophy, Socrates Award, Coach of the Year (Johan Cruyff Trophy), and Club of the Year.


This article breaks down all the nominees, gives a power ranking overview, and identifies the major contenders for each trophy category. Keywords are woven throughout for search optimization.





1. Ballon d’Or Men – Rankings and Contenders



While the official point-based rankings will only be revealed at the ceremony, media consensus places Ousmane Dembélé as the clear frontrunner. His role in PSG’s historic treble — including the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title — has propelled him to the top of the conversation.



Power Rankings

 (based on performances & analyst consensus)



  1. Ousmane Dembélé – PSG’s talismanic winger; decisive in Champions League final. (Keyword: PSG star winger)
  2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona’s teenage sensation who lit up La Liga and the Copa del Rey. (Keyword: Barcelona wonderkid)
  3. Raphinha – Integral to Barcelona’s domestic treble; consistent performer. (Keyword: Brazilian winger Barcelona)
  4. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool’s top scorer; inspired Egypt in AFCON. (Keyword: Liverpool Egyptian forward)
  5. Kylian Mbappé – PSG captain, Ligue 1 top scorer. (Keyword: PSG captain France striker)
  6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli’s creative engine; Serie A assists leader. (Keyword: Napoli Georgian star)
  7. Désiré Doué – Breakout star for Rennes and France. (Keyword: French midfield prodigy)



Major Contenders:


  • Ousmane Dembélé (favorite)
  • Lamine Yamal (challenger)
  • Raphinha (dark horse)






2. Ballon d’Or Women – Rankings and Contenders



The women’s shortlist features players who have dominated both club and international football. The spotlight is on Aitana Bonmatí, who continues her reign as one of the best midfielders in the game.



Top Contenders



  • Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona & Spain) – World Cup winner, Champions League winner. (Keyword: Barcelona Spain midfielder)
  • Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona & Norway) – Exceptional winger, key in domestic treble. (Keyword: Norwegian winger Barcelona)
  • Alexia Putellas (Barcelona & Spain) – Returning from injury to inspire victories. (Keyword: Spain captain Barcelona)
  • Sam Kerr (Chelsea & Australia) – FA Cup top scorer. (Keyword: Chelsea Australian striker)
  • Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns & USA) – NWSL MVP candidate. (Keyword: USWNT forward)



Major Contenders:


  • Aitana Bonmatí (favorite)
  • Caroline Graham Hansen (challenger)
  • Sam Kerr (dark horse)






3. Kopa Trophy – Best Under-21 Player



The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the best player under the age of 21, as voted by past Ballon d’Or winners.



Top Contenders



  • Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain) – At just 17, already a key player for club and country. (Keyword: teenage football sensation)
  • Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG & France) – Commanding presence in midfield. (Keyword: PSG midfield prodigy)
  • Endrick (Palmeiras & Brazil) – Prodigy moving to Real Madrid in 2025. (Keyword: Brazilian wonderkid Real Madrid)
  • Gavi (Barcelona & Spain) – Fierce and technical midfielder. (Keyword: Barcelona Spain midfielder)



Major Contenders:


  • Lamine Yamal (favorite)
  • Warren Zaïre-Emery (challenger)






4. Yashin Trophy – Best Goalkeeper



The Yashin Trophy honors the best goalkeeper in the world.



Top Contenders



  • Mike Maignan (AC Milan & France) – Serie A champion; crucial saves in Champions League. (Keyword: French goalkeeper AC Milan)
  • Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa & Argentina) – Heroics in Copa América and Premier League. (Keyword: Argentina goalkeeper Aston Villa)
  • Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid & Belgium) – Outstanding comeback season after injury. (Keyword: Real Madrid Belgian keeper)



Major Contenders:


  • Mike Maignan (favorite)
  • Emiliano Martínez (challenger)






5. Gerd Müller Trophy – Top Goal Scorer in Europe



This award recognizes the most prolific striker in European competitions.



Top Contenders



  • Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England) – Bundesliga Golden Boot winner. (Keyword: England striker Bayern Munich)
  • Erling Haaland (Manchester City & Norway) – Premier League top scorer. (Keyword: Man City Norwegian forward)
  • Kylian Mbappé (PSG & France) – Ligue 1 top scorer, Champions League goals. (Keyword: PSG France forward)



Major Contenders:


  • Harry Kane (favorite)
  • Erling Haaland (challenger)






6. Socrates Award – Humanitarian Efforts



Recognizes players for off-field humanitarian impact.



Top Contenders



  • Marcus Rashford (Manchester United & England) – Food poverty campaigns in the UK. (Keyword: Man United humanitarian)
  • Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr & Senegal) – Built schools and hospitals in Senegal. (Keyword: Senegal humanitarian footballer)
  • Megan Rapinoe (Retired, USA) – Advocacy for equality and human rights. (Keyword: US football equality activist)



Major Contenders:


  • Marcus Rashford (favorite)
  • Sadio Mané (challenger)






7. Coach of the Year (Johan Cruyff Trophy)



Awarded to the best manager of the season.



Top Contenders



  • Luis Enrique (PSG) – Guided PSG to treble. (Keyword: PSG treble-winning coach)
  • Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) – Domestic treble winner. (Keyword: Barcelona Spanish coach)
  • Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) – Premier League winner and Champions League semi-finalist. (Keyword: Man City tactical mastermind)



Major Contenders:


  • Luis Enrique (favorite)
  • Xavi Hernández (challenger)






8. Club of the Year



Awarded to the best-performing club in men’s and women’s football.



Top Contenders – Men’s



  • Paris Saint-Germain – Treble winners. (Keyword: PSG treble champions)
  • Barcelona – La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa champions. (Keyword: Barcelona treble)
  • Manchester City – Premier League winners, FA Cup finalists. (Keyword: Man City Premier League champions)




Top Contenders – Women’s



  • FC Barcelona Femení – Champions League, Liga F winners. (Keyword: Barcelona women’s team)
  • Chelsea Women – FA Cup and WSL champions. (Keyword: Chelsea WSL winners)
  • Lyon Féminin – French league and domestic cup winners. (Keyword: Lyon women’s football)



Major Contenders:


  • PSG (favorite men’s)
  • Barcelona Femení (favorite women’s)






Summary Table – Major Contenders per Trophy


Trophy Category

Major Contenders

Ballon d’Or Men

Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha

Ballon d’Or Women

Aitana Bonmatí, Caroline Graham Hansen, Sam Kerr

Kopa Trophy

Lamine Yamal, Warren Zaïre-Emery

Yashin Trophy

Mike Maignan, Emiliano Martínez

Gerd Müller Trophy

Harry Kane, Erling Haaland

Socrates Award

Marcus Rashford, Sadio Mané

Coach of the Year

Luis Enrique, Xavi Hernández

Club of the Year (Men)

PSG, Barcelona, Manchester City

Club of the Year (Women)

Barcelona Femení, Chelsea Women, Lyon Féminin



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