The organizers of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award have officially released details for the 2025 edition, confirming the ceremony will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday, September 22.
France Football, UEFA, and L'Équipe will collaborate to organize the event, which has been honoring top footballers annually since its inception in 1956.
In a significant development for women's football, three new award categories will be introduced this year: the Women's Kopa Trophy, Women's Yashin Trophy, and Women's Gerd Muller Trophy. These additions reflect growing recognition for female players in the sport.
For the coveted Men's Ballon d'Or, Barcelona captain Raphinha and Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele have emerged as the leading candidates. Their performances throughout the season have positioned them as frontrunners for football's most prestigious individual honor.
As is tradition, the winner will be determined through votes cast by approximately one hundred journalists from major football nations, ensuring a comprehensive global assessment of player performances.
Several football personalities have already weighed in on potential winners, with various former players and managers expressing their preferences in recent statements to the media.
The Ballon d'Or remains one of football's most anticipated annual events, celebrating excellence across multiple aspects of the game and recognizing the sport's standout performers.