PSG Dominate 2025 Ballon d’Or Shortlist with Nine Players Included

The Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as the most prestigious individual award in world football. Every player dreams of lifting this iconic trophy at least once in their career, as it symbolizes global recognition of excellence on the football pitch. The anticipation to find out who will be crowned the winner of the last season’s Ballon d’Or will finally be settled on September 22. However, ahead of the ceremony, the organizers have released the official shortlist of nominees, creating buzz and discussions among fans, analysts, and football communities worldwide.

Last season, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dominated French football by clinching all the major domestic titles, showcasing their remarkable strength and depth as a team. Beyond the French league, PSG also made a significant mark internationally by finishing as runners-up in the FIFA Club World Cup. The stellar performances of players such as Ousmane Dembele and Gianluigi Donnarumma played a crucial role in these successes, illuminating PSG’s status as a football powerhouse. Consequently, it is no surprise that the French giants are heavily represented in the list of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

France Football, the respected publication that organizes the award, has revealed a list of 30 nominees. PSG leads the pack with an impressive nine players on the list — the highest representation from any club. This underscores PSG’s dominance and the individual brilliance of its players throughout the season. The Ballon d’Or will be awarded across ten different categories this year, with the most high-profile and widely discussed being the men’s Ballon d’Or, which honors the best male player in the world.

The list of nominees features a mix of seasoned stars and exciting young talents from various top clubs across Europe. Representing PSG, the nominated players include Ousmane Dembele, known for his flair and attacking prowess; Gianluigi Donnarumma, the reliable and world-class goalkeeper from Italy; Achraf Hakimi, the dynamic Moroccan fullback; and other key figures such as Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Khicha Kaverskaya. This strong representation reflects PSG’s collective strength in all areas of the pitch.

Alongside PSG’s nominees, the list also highlights footballers from other elite clubs. Jude Bellingham, the young English midfielder at Real Madrid, continues to impress with his maturity and influence in midfield. The goal-scoring sensation Erling Haaland from Manchester City remains a top contender for the award due to his incredible goal tally and consistency. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Florian Wirtz from Liverpool, Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona, Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez are also among the prominent names.

Other notable nominees include Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan, Serhu Girassi from Borussia Dortmund, Viktor Giorgiescu from Arsenal, and Cole Palmer from Chelsea. The list also features exciting talents like Pedri and Lamine Yamal from Barcelona, showcasing the blend of experienced players and future stars in the running for the Ballon d’Or.

The diversity in the nominees represents the global nature of modern football, with players from various countries and leagues competing at the highest level. It reflects not only individual brilliance but also the tactical evolution and team successes that have shaped the last season.

As the football world awaits the announcement of the winner, the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist itself tells a story of a highly competitive season filled with extraordinary talent and achievements. PSG’s dominance is evident, but the competition remains fierce with strong challengers from clubs across Europe. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely on September 22 to see who will be honored with the most coveted individual prize in football.