D-DAY: Understanding How the Ballon d’Or Winner Is Chosen
Football fans around the world are eagerly looking forward to the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which will take place on Monday, 22 September, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
The event, organised by France Football, will begin at 6:00 PM GMT and will reveal the winners of the most prestigious individual prizes in football.
How the Ballon d’Or Winner Is Selected
A shortlist of 30 players was announced earlier this year. The winner is chosen by a vote from journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries.
Each journalist selects their top 10 players, giving points as follows:
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15 points for 1st place
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12 for 2nd
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10 for 3rd
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and so on, down to 1 point for 10th place.
If two or more players finish with the same total points, first-place votes will be used to break the tie.
This year’s voting is based on performances between 1 August 2024 and 13 July 2025, ending with the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Dembele and Yamal Among Top Favourites
With Rodri, the 2024 winner, not in contention this year, the Ballon d’Or is guaranteed to have a new winner.
Leading the pack are:
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Ousmane Dembele, who starred for Paris Saint-Germain in their trophy-filled season, and
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Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old talent from Barcelona, who had a breakout season filled with goals and assists.
Although 30 players are on the final list, bookmakers and experts believe the fight is mainly between these two stars.
Why the Ballon d’Or Matters
The Ballon d’Or trophy itself is estimated to be worth around €3,000, but its impact is much bigger.
Players who win often see a rise in their market value, earn extra bonuses, and attract sponsorship deals. It also strengthens their legacy in football history.
The men’s Ballon d’Or has been awarded since 1956, celebrating the best players in the world. The women’s award was added in 2018, with votes coming from journalists in the top 50 countries of FIFA’s women’s rankings.
