Spain’s footballing ascendancy continues its sweep. The 69th Ballon d’Or shortlist, announced on August 7, 2025, is defined not just by standout names but by seismic shifts in football’s power centers.

The ceremony is set for September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, still the beating heart of European football’s golden hour.

Under the spotlight: A battle of narratives

Paris Saint-Germain have finally found continental redemption, and they’ve brought a full supporting cast with them. Fresh off a historic quadruple, nine PSG players feature on the men’s shortlist, led by Ousmane Dembélé.

At 28, Dembélé is no longer just a player of promise. He’s the orchestrator of a Champions League win, a domestic double, and 49 goal contributions in 53 matches. With endorsements from his coach Luis Enrique and plaudits across Europe, he enters as the clear frontrunner.

But Barcelona have their own generational story to tell. Lamine Yamal, just 18, was pivotal to Barcelona’s domestic treble and matched Dembélé nearly step for step in brilliance.

In 55 games, he tallied 39 goals and assists, dazzling in La Liga and Europe with a Messi-esque flair that’s impossible to ignore. If Yamal wins, he’d become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history.

Further contenders round out a compelling field. Mohamed Salah’s 47 Premier League goal contributions carried Liverpool to the title.

Cole Palmer’s Club World Cup heroics, Scott McTominay’s unlikely MVP season with Napoli, and Florian Wirtz’s stellar campaign with Leverkusen and Liverpool all earned deserved nods. But the race, in truth, looks to be a head-to-head between Dembélé and Yamal.

On the women’s side, the narrative is just as electric. Arsenal’s Alessia Russo spearheaded a campaign that ended with a Champions League trophy and a Euro 2025 title.

Her domestic golden boot, combined with international brilliance, puts her among the top favorites. Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí seeks a historic third straight Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona’s Clàudia Pina led the Champions League in scoring.

Arsenal and Chelsea, like their male counterparts in Paris and Barcelona, dominate the nominee list.

And for the first time, the women’s game features its own Yashin and Kopa trophies, bringing overdue recognition to goalkeepers like Hannah Hampton and rising stars like Vicky López.

A contest reshaped by performance, not pedigree

This year’s Ballon d’Or shortlists reflect more than who lifted the most trophies. They tell a story of generational change.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Karim Benzema are absent. For the second consecutive year, the men’s award will go to a first-time winner.

That context amplifies the significance of 2025. Dembélé versus Yamal. Russo versus Bonmatí.

Clubs like PSG and Arsenal are redefining dominance while giants like Real Madrid and Lyon recede.

For once, the Ballon d’Or doesn’t feel like a coronation. It feels like a conversation, about legacy, performance, and the future of football.

By September 22, we’ll have answers. But for now, the Ballon d’Or is wide open and more relevant than ever.