The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on 22 September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. (Wikipedia)
The awards honored the best players in men’s and women’s football for the 2024–25 season. (Wikipedia)
Major Winners
Here are some of the headline winners:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembélé (Wikipedia)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or (Ballon d’Or Féminin): Aitana Bonmatí, picking up the trophy for the third consecutive year. (Barca Blaugranes)
- Kopa Trophy (best Under-21 male player): Lamine Yamal (Olympics)
- Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper): Gianluigi Donnarumma (Olympics)
- Gerd Müller Trophy (most goals scored in the calendar year): Viktor Gyökeres (Olympics)
What Set This Year Apart
1. Tight Race in the Men’s Category
The main competition in the men’s Ballon d’Or came down largely between Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal, with many pundits and fans considering this one of the most closely contested in recent years. (Reuters)
Dembélé’s case was bolstered by a stellar season at Paris Saint-Germain: major trophies, strong scoring/assist numbers, and leadership. Yamal, despite his young age (just 18), also stood out with remarkable contributions for both club (Barcelona) and country. (Reuters)
2. Women’s Ballon d’Or — Dominance and Continuity
Aitana Bonmatí’s third consecutive win underlines her sustained high performance and consistency. Despite Barcelona not winning every possible trophy this season, and Spain coming close in international competition, her individual impact remains undeniable. (Barca Blaugranes)
Another notable shift: for the first time, the women’s awards have the same prize structure as the men’s. This move toward equality in recognition was emphasized in her acceptance speech. (Barca Blaugranes)
Controversies, Speculation & Reactions
- Leaks & Predictions: In the lead-up to the ceremony, there was intense speculation and alleged leaks about who would win — particularly strong whispers around Dembélé and Yamal. Some news outlets claimed a result had leaked prematurely. (The Sun)
- Voting Transparency: France Football has in recent years changed procedures to curb leaks and increase transparency. Even so, fans and media weigh recent performances very heavily, so debates over what “counts” (club trophies, international tournaments, individual stats) remain lively. (Athlon Sports)
- Age Factor: Lamine Yamal’s strong showing again brings up discussions about young forwards making huge impacts. The tension between awarding seasoned experience vs. youthful dynamism is a recurring theme. (Reuters)
Implications Going Forward
- For Ousmane Dembélé, winning the Ballon d’Or might mark a career-high, solidifying his standing among the elite. It also could raise expectations for the coming seasons, both in domestic leagues and international competition.
- Lamine Yamal, though a runner-up, will likely continue to be a major figure given his age and potential. Many will watch to see if he claims the top prize in future years.
- Aitana Bonmatí’s third straight win sets a high bar for other female players; her sustained dominance may inspire clubs/leagues to invest further. The equality in award structure underlines that change is possible and being acted on.
- Across the board, this edition of the Ballon d’Or reinforces the idea that both individual brilliance and team success are being balanced in how winners are chosen. It also suggests that younger talents are being given more recognition than in some past years.