5 Jaw-Dropping Moments from the 2025 Ballon d’Or Ceremony You Can’t Miss

The 2025 Ballon d’Or : The Most Esteemed Award in Football Enters a New Era

World football underwent a dramatic change with the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which took place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. A new era in the sport’s most prestigious individual award began when neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo won the coveted title for the first time in more than ten years.

The Applicants

The Favourite is Ousmane Dembélé.

• Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) became the clear favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. With a decisive 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final, the French winger helped PSG win their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, marking a significant milestone in their historic season. Dembélé won the Champions League Player of the Season award for his outstanding performance in the tournament, which included eight goals and six assists. He demonstrated his consistency and skill throughout the season by scoring 21 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances at home.

Lamine Yamal: The Ballon d’Or Prodigy

• Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was a revelation in the 2024–25 season at the age of just 18. Barcelona won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España thanks in large part to Yamal’s contributions, even though they did not win the Champions League. He showed maturity and skill beyond his years by recording 18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions.

Mohamed Salah: The Reliable Ballon d’Or Performer

• Mohamed Salah of Liverpool had yet another outstanding season, continuing to defy age. With 54 goals in the Premier League and Champions League, the Egyptian forward helped Liverpool win their only Premier League championship. Despite his noteworthy domestic achievements, his hopes of winning the Ballon d’Or were somewhat dashed by the absence of a European trophy.

Raphinha: The Ballon d’Or of the Dark Horse

• One of the most interesting tales of the season was Raphinha’s rise from an unimportant player to a pivotal role at Barcelona. The Brazilian winger was instrumental in Barcelona’s domestic victories, contributing 34 goals and 25 assists across all competitions. However, his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or were diminished because he did not win a Champions League title.

The Ballon d’Or Ceremony

• In keeping with the honour of the award, the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony was a lavish event. Football stars, past champions, and supporters from all over the world attended the event, which was held at Paris’s famous Théâtre du Châtelet. The legendary Brazilian football player Ronaldinho’s performance, which included the presentation of the Ballon d’Or trophy, was the evening’s high point. commemorating the 20th anniversary of his own victory.

The Decision

• The football community eagerly anticipated the announcement as the evening went on. The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or was…

Dembélé, Ousmane.

• His status as one of football’s top players was cemented when his outstanding performances, both at home and abroad, were duly acknowledged. In addition to being a personal accomplishment, Dembélé’s victory marks the rise of fresh talent prepared to take over in the wake of Messi and Ronaldo.

Gazing Ahead

• A new generation of football talent has been given the opportunity to shine thanks to the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Football appears to have a bright future as players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal make notable progress. While Messi and Ronaldo’s removal from the top of the Ballon d’Or rankings signifies the end of an era, it also creates opportunities for new rivalries and stories to enthral supporters around the globe.
• It’s evident that football is changing as we look back on the 2025 campaign, and the Ballon d’Or remains the pinnacle of individual achievement in the game.

table of the 2025 Ballon d’Or winners