Ballon d'Or 2025: Who Is Set to Win Football’s Biggest Award?

If you love the beautiful game, you know the Ballon d'Or is the prize every fan talks about. In 2025 the buzz is louder than ever. A handful of players have already made the shortlist, journalists are debating, and fans are ready to vote. This guide breaks down what you need to know right now – the shortlist, the voting process, and the best odds for each candidate.

How the Ballon d'Or is Decided

The Ballon d'Or isn’t just a random pick. A panel of journalists from around the world gets a list of nominees from France Football. They each rank their top five players and award points (6, 4, 3, 2, 1). The points are added up to create a final score. After the panel votes, a public fan vote adds a small bonus to the total – enough to keep the excitement alive but not enough to overturn the expert opinion.

The voting window opens in early October and closes in early December. Results are announced at a glitzy ceremony in early January. That means you have a couple of months to follow the season, see who shines in the Champions League, domestic leagues, and international tournaments, and then cast your vote.

Top Contenders for 2025

Now, onto the players. Here are the five names that keep popping up in every discussion:

• Erling Haaland – The Norwegian striker has broken goal records in the Premier League and the Champions League. His physical presence and finishing skill make him a strong favorite.
• Kylian Mbappé – Speed, skill, and a knack for big‑game moments still define Mbappé. He added another Ligue 1 title and a deep Champions League run, keeping him in the conversation.
• Kevin De Bruyne – The Manchester City midfield maestro finally got his Champions League win last season. His vision and consistency are hard to ignore.
• Luka Modrić – At 38, the Croatian still pulls off incredible performances for Real Madrid. If he adds another big‑tournament spotlight, he could surprise everyone.
• Jude Bellingham – The English teenager turned Dortmund star has become the go‑to player for clutch moments. His mix of youth and maturity is a fresh storyline for the award.

Don’t forget the dark horses. Players like Pedri, Vinícius Júnior, and Karim Benzema (if he decides to stay fit) could pop up in the final tally if they finish the season strong.

So, what should you do? Keep an eye on the Champions League finals, watch the league title races, and notice who steps up in the World Cup qualifiers. Those are the moments that journalists love to reward.

When the voting opens, head to the official France Football site, grab your ballot, and pick the player you think truly deserved the title. Your vote might not decide the winner, but it adds a personal touch to the celebration of football’s best.

In short, the Ballon d’Or 2025 is shaping up to be a showdown between a goal‑machine, a speedster, a midfield wizard, a seasoned veteran, and an emerging star. Stay tuned, enjoy the matches, and get ready to celebrate the player who makes the game unforgettable this year.