PARIS —-On Monday night, the world’s finest footballers will walk the red carpet at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. At the end of it, two will leave with the most coveted individual honour in the sport: the Ballon d’Or.
The prize, awarded since 1956, has crowned legends from George Best to Lionel Messi. Now, a new chapter is about to be written. Thirty men and thirty women are nominated, but a handful stand out as frontrunners.
The Men’s Race: A Battle of Superstars
Ousmane Dembélé has enjoyed a season that may finally put him at football’s summit. The French winger inspired Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League title, scoring 21 league goals and lighting up Europe with crucial strikes. He was named player of the season in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Harry Kane, long criticised for his lack of silverware, silenced doubters by firing Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga crown. The England captain scored 41 goals across all competitions, including a remarkable spell where he netted 10 in just 11 days.
At Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé thrived in his debut season, finishing as La Liga’s top scorer with 31 goals. He added a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City and became the third Frenchman to score 50 goals for his country.
Barcelona’s Raphinha also shone, delivering 34 goals and 22 assists to help his club win a domestic treble. His 13 Champions League strikes made him joint-top scorer.
Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah, remains a force at 33. He was named Premier League player of the year after scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists, powering the club to its 20th league title.
And then there is Lamine Yamal, just 18, who dazzled for Barcelona with his skill and maturity. He won three trophies, earned a place in both the La Liga and Champions League teams of the season, and already has 20 caps for Spain.
The Women’s Race: A Tight Contest
On the women’s side, Spain’s dominance continues. Aitana Bonmatí, winner of the past two Ballons d’Or, is again in the running. Despite a health scare before the Euros, she was central to Barcelona’s domestic treble and Spain’s deep run in the tournament.
Her teammate Alexia Putellas, twice a winner herself, remains a strong candidate. With 16 goals and 11 assists, she carried Barcelona through another successful season.
England’s Alessia Russo had a year to remember. The Arsenal striker won both the Champions League and Euro 2025, scoring in the final of the latter. She also shared the WSL Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.
Another Spaniard, Claudia Pina, was the Champions League’s top scorer despite Barcelona falling short in Europe. Her versatility and goalscoring instincts make her one of the most exciting talents in the game.
Lucy Bronze battled through injury to win Euro 2025 with England and a domestic treble with Chelsea. Her influence as a defender makes her an outsider, but her resilience could win votes.
Finally, Mariona Caldentey, now at Arsenal, was instrumental in their Champions League triumph and scored in the Euro 2025 final. Her immediate impact in England earned her WSL player of the year honours.
What Happens Next
Journalists, national coaches, and captains from around the world will cast their votes. The awards often spark debate, not just about who deserves the prize, but what “best” truly means in a team sport.
As the football world gathers in Paris, the spotlight is not only on the glittering ceremony but on the stories each player brings — of triumph, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
About the Author
