Ballon d’Or 2025 Ceremony in Paris to Honor Football’s Elite on September 22

The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, football's most prestigious individual award event, will be held on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The award process involved journalists from FIFA’s top 100 ranked nations voting on a 30-player shortlist based on performances from August 2024 to July 2025, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal among the leading contenders. A new rule since last year ensures that the winner is not informed of the result prior to the ceremony, and PSG players may miss their derby match against Marseille to attend the gala. Past winners include Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and Rodri, with Messi holding the record for most Ballon d’Or wins. The 2025 ceremony will also present awards for best young player, best goalkeeper, and highest goalscorer in both men’s and women’s categories, reflecting the event's growing scope. Notably, the Ballon d’Or remains highly influential despite its modest physical value, often boosting players' endorsements and market value.