For the second year in a row, the prestigious Ballon d’Or will crown a new winner, as Manchester City midfielder Rodri was omitted from the 30-man shortlist released Thursday.
The 2024 titleholder, who had clinched the award last October, has seen his 2025 hopes dashed due to a knee ligament injury that prematurely ended his season.
Notably absent from this year’s lineup are two of football’s greatest icons: Lionel Messi, who last claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2023—his eighth overall—and Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner. Their exclusion marks a significant generational shift in football’s most coveted individual award.
Paris Saint-Germain emerged as the standout club in this year’s nominations, boasting nine players on the shortlist following their dominant UEFA Champions League triumph. Barcelona follows with four representatives, headlined by contrasting figures: the recently turned 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, the youngest on the list, and 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski, the oldest.
Real Madrid, which boycotted last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony after expressing outrage over Rodri’s win over Vinicius Jr., has returned to the fold with three players named, including the Brazilian forward.
Italy’s Serie A champions, Napoli, received recognition through Scott McTominay’s inclusion. His nomination is historic: he becomes the first Scottish player shortlisted since Ally McCoist in 1987. If victorious, McTominay would be the first from Diego Maradona’s former club to win the award and only the second Scot to do so, after Denis Law in 1964.
The award ceremony is scheduled for September 22, when the world will discover who succeeds Rodri as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
The complete list of 30 nominees:
Ousmane Dembele (FRA/PSG), Gianluigi Donnarumma (ITA/PSG), Jude Bellingham (ENG/Real Madrid), Desire Doue (FRA/PSG), Denzel Dumfries (NED/Inter Milan), Serhou Guirassy (GUI/Dortmund), Erling Haaland (NOR/Manchester City), Viktor Gyokeres (SWE/Arsenal), Achraf Hakimi (MAR/PSG), Harry Kane (ENG/Bayern), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (GEO/PSG), Robert Lewandowski (POL/Barcelona), Alexis Mac Allister (ARG/Liverpool), Lautaro Martinez (ARG/Inter Milan), Scott McTominay (SCO/Naples), Kylian Mbappe (FRA/Real Madrid), Nuno Mendes (POR/PSG), Joao Neves (POR/PSG), Pedri (ESP/Barcelona), Cole Palmer (ENG/Chelsea), Michael Olise (FRA/Bayern), Raphinha (BRA/Barcelona), Declan Rice (ENG/Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (SCO/PSG), Virgil van Dijk (NED/Liverpool), Vinicius (BRA/Real Madrid), Mohamed Salah (EGY/Liverpool), Florian Wirtz (GER/Liverpool), Vitinha (POR/PSG), Lamine Yamal (ESP/Barcelona).
What you should know
Rodri, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, misses out on this year’s nomination due to injury, while PSG’s Champions League success secures them the most representation on the shortlist.
The list also reflects a clear generational transition in world football, with legends like Messi and Ronaldo left out, and new talents like Yamal making history.
