How to win the Ballon d’or – UEFA Reveals
As fans look forward to football’s top individual award, UEFA has shared new voting rules for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
This year’s ceremony will take place on 22 September at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The earlier date shows how much excitement there is, especially as no clear favourite has appeared yet.
Big events like the UEFA Champions League final, Nations League, and Club World Cup are still to come. So far, no one player stands out as the top choice.
New Rules for Choosing the Winner:
According to L’Équipe, the Ballon d’Or will now be judged based on three main points:
- Individual Performance – how well a player performs on the pitch.
- Team Success – trophies won with clubs or national teams.
- Good Conduct – fair play and respect for the game.
UEFA says the goal is to “reward the best footballer of the year based on real merit,” not just a long career.
Who Could Win?
Last year’s winner, Rodri, won the award ahead of Vinicius Jr., even though Real Madrid exited the Champions League early. Rodri impressed with strong performances for Manchester City and Spain in 2024.
This year, teams like Spain, France, Portugal, and Germany could affect the final votes again. However, Barcelona players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Pedri might struggle since they won’t be part of the Nations League or Club World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé is still a strong contender. Even though he hasn’t won big trophies in his first season at Real Madrid, his chase for the Golden Boot and upcoming games might boost his chances.
In a big step forward, UEFA also said that all men’s awards will now have equal versions for women, showing their support for gender equality in football.
