Seven Stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona Compete for the Ballon d’Or

France Football Announces Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees: Barcelona Among Top Contenders

France Football magazine has announced the list of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with Barcelona emerging as one of the leading contenders for the prestigious award this year. Last year, Spain won the award for the first time since 1960, with Rodri Hernández succeeding Luis Suárez Miramontes after a 64-year wait.

The 30 nominees are selected by the editorial teams of L’Équipe and France Football, followed by a voting process. One journalist from each of FIFA’s top 100 ranked associations is selected to vote, submitting a ranked list of ten players. The players receive 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point respectively. The award takes into account three main criteria: individual performance, team performance, and sportsmanship/fair play.

Seven La Liga Players Nominated for the Ballon d’Or

Seven players from the Spanish league made the shortlist—four from Barcelona and three from Real Madrid. Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez missed out despite a strong season with the club.

Barcelona’s list includes Pedri, Lamine Yamal (who is also nominated for the Kopa Trophy), Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski. Except for Lewandowski, all are considered strong contenders to win or at least reach the podium. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior are also among the nominees, all of whom were in the top six last season.

Former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé is also among the nominees due to his standout performances with Paris Saint-Germain. PSG’s Vitinha is also expected to be a contender for the major award.

Here are the 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees!#ballondor pic.twitter.com/tehmbU4R0j

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) August 7, 2025

2025 Ballon d’Or Feminin Nominees

For the women’s award, voting is limited to female journalists from the top 50 countries. Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí have won the award for four consecutive years. Both are nominated again this year, along with teammates Patri Guijarro, Clàudia Pina, and Caroline Graham Hansen.

Spain’s forwards Esther González and Mariona Caldentey are also in the mix, alongside Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir.

Club of the Year: Barcelona Competing for Best Men’s and Women’s Team

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona—already a dominant force in the women’s category—has been nominated for the men’s Club of the Year award as well.

Let me know if you’d like this adapted for social media, a headline, or visual post.