2025 Ballon d’Or: Predicted Winners of Each Category After Nominees Announcement
- The 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees for men's and women's voting categories have been announced
- Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal lead the main category for the men's Golden Ball award
- Past winners and Barcelona duo Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati lead the women's category
The 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees for the voting categories were announced for men's and women's categories, and it has sparked discussions on social media.
There were a few surprise omissions and exclusions, but this time, fans agree with most of the nominees, with Paris Saint-Germain having nine players in the men's category.
Source: Getty Images
According to France Football, all categories will be decided by journalists, while the Kopa trophy will be voted for by former Ballon d'Or winners.
Legit.ng looks at the predicted winners of each category ahead of the ceremony on September 22.
Balloon d'Or predicted winners - men's category
Yashine trophy - Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper is favoured to win the Yashine trophy this year after helping PSG win four trophies. For the second time in his career, having also won it in 2021 after helping Italy win Euro 2021.
Men's team of the year - Paris Saint-Germain
World champions Chelsea and quadruple winners Paris Saint-Germain are the favourites to win this category, but the UEFA Champions League winners have an advantage because of their outstanding season.
Men's Player of the Year - Ousmane Dembele
French forward Ousmane Dembele is the favourite to win the Golden Ball after leading PSG’s charge during their quadruple-winning season. He is tipped to pick up that award in Paris ahead of the brilliant Lamine Yamal.
Kopa trophy - Lamine Yamal
Last year's winner, Lamine Yamal, is up against teammate Pau Cubarsi, PSG star Desire Doue, Chelsea's wonderkid Estevao Willian, among others. According to Goal, no previous winner has won the award twice, but Yamal could break the jinx this year.
Source: Getty Images
Coach of the year - Luis Enrique
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique is the favourite to win this category after masterminding the club's first-ever UEFA Champions League win. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is a fair shot for winning the tactical battle against Enrique in the Club World Cup final, but one game is not enough.
Ballon d'Or predicted winners - women's category
In the women's category, Legit.ng spoke to broadcast journalist and women's football expert Joy Ojeabulu, who analysed the key categories.
Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, Alessia Russo, and Mariona Caldentey are her top five picks for the Women's Ballon d'Or, while tipping history to favour one of the previous winners, Bonmati or Putellas.
“We have seen how inconsistent the awards have been in the past decade and trophies doesn’t necessarily win you the Balon d’Or(cos Putellas beat Beth Mead to it in 2023 when the latter won the Euros); I think the voting will favour one of the two Barcelona and Spanish players who have won it before(twice each) and had a stellar season with domestic trebles at club level,” she said.
Hannah Hampton is predicted to win the Women's Yachine trophy after winning the domestic treble with Chelsea and helping England win WEuro 2025, while her prediction for the Women's Coach of the Year favours Sarina Wiegman for winning her third consecutive WEuro.
Vicky Lopez is her predicted winner of the Women's Kopa trophy for her contribution to Barcelona Femeni’s domestic success and strong European run.
Arsenal women are predicted to win the club of the year for their success in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Players who deserve Ballon d'Or nomination
Legit.ng analysed the players who deserve Ballon d'Or nomination but were overlooked after the list of nominees in all categories was announced on Wednesday.
40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list after a brilliant individual season with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and leading Portugal to win their second Nations League trophy.
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Source: Legit.ng
