France Football, the organizers of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, have officially announced that the nominees for the 2025 edition will be unveiled on August 7th. The announcement was made through their official X account, setting the stage for one of football's most anticipated events.
As is tradition, a list of 30 players will be revealed, which will later be narrowed down to select the ultimate winner at the ceremony scheduled for September 22nd. This prestigious individual award recognizes the best footballer in the world over the previous season.
Last Year's Winner and Current Prospects
Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed the coveted prize last year, edging out Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. However, Rodri's chances of retaining the award appear slim this year due to a long-term injury that has kept him sidelined for nearly an entire season.
Players from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are expected to dominate the nominee list following their impressive performances in the 2024-25 season. PSG clinched the UEFA Champions League title among other honors, while Barcelona secured a domestic treble in Spain, winning the league, cup, and Super Cup.
Potential Nominees
Several star players are anticipated to make the shortlist, including PSG's Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, and Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski. These players have all delivered standout performances throughout the season, making them strong contenders for football's most prestigious individual accolade.
The race for the 2025 Ballon d'Or promises to be highly competitive, with various football legends and current coaches already weighing in on potential winners. Former Real Madrid midfielder Schuster has placed Barcelona's Pedri among his favorites, while Portugal coach Martinez has named two players he believes could win ahead of Barcelona's young sensation Yamal.
As the football world eagerly awaits the nominee announcement, fans and pundits continue to speculate on who might succeed Rodri as the world's best footballer.
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