Ballon d’Or 2025: A New Era for the Ballon d’Or
Football’s most prestigious individual honour, the Ballon d’Or, evolves to reflect the modern game more fairly than ever before. For decades, this coveted golden trophy has crowned the best of the best, from Stanley Matthews in 1956 to Rodri in 2024. But as the sport grows, spanning continents, competitions, and new talents, the criteria for the Ballon d’Or have needed a refresh. In 2025, UEFA and France Football have delivered just that, unveiling new eligibility rules that promise to reshape how we define footballing excellence. What do these changes mean for players, fans, and the legacy of the Ballon d’Or, football’s biggest award?
Ballon d’Or Evolution: A Brief History
The Ballon d’Or, launched by France Football in 1956, began as a European-only award, honouring players like England’s Stanley Matthews for their seasonal brilliance. Over time, it expanded—first in 1995 to include non-European players at European clubs, then in 2007 to embrace all professional footballers worldwide. The voting process, once solely in the hands of journalists, briefly included coaches and national team captains before reverting to a journalist-led system in 2016. A major shift occurred in 2022, when the award transitioned from a calendar-year focus to a seasonal one (August to July), aligning more closely with football’s natural rhythm.
Now, in 2025, the Ballon d’Or eligibility criteria are evolving again, reflecting a commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and relevance in a rapidly changing sport. These updates, co-organised by UEFA and France Football, aim to balance individual flair, team success, and the spirit of the game. As a lifelong football fan, I’ve watched legends like Lionel Messi (with a record eight wins) and Cristiano Ronaldo (five wins) dominate, but I’m thrilled to see how these new rules might crown fresh faces or reward unsung heroes.
The New Ballon d’Or Eligibility Criteria for 2025
UEFA and L’Équipe have outlined the revised criteria for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, set to be awarded on September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Here’s a breakdown of the three core pillars driving the selection process:
- Individual Performances: Brilliance, Decisiveness, and Influence
The focus remains on a player’s skill, goal-scoring, assists, and game-changing moments. Voters will assess how decisive a player is—think match-winning goals or clutch defensive stops—and their broader influence on the pitch, like leadership or playmaking. This ensures stars like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, with his jaw-dropping dribbles, or PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, a key figure in their 2025 Champions League run, get their due. - Collective Success: Titles and Trophies
Team achievements matter, from domestic leagues to international tournaments. The 2024-25 season, spanning August 2024 to July 2025, will be the evaluation window, covering the UEFA Champions League, Nations League, and Club World Cup. This criterion rewards players from winning sides, like Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez, who shone in their 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the 2025 Champions League semifinals. - Sportsmanship and Fair Play
A renewed emphasis on integrity highlights respect, discipline, and conduct. Voters will consider red cards, bookings, and off-pitch behavior, giving an edge to players who embody the spirit of the game. This could lift someone like Mohamed Salah, known for his class at Liverpool, even if their Champions League campaign faltered early.
What’s New in 2025?
Beyond refining these pillars, the 2025 ceremony introduces exciting additions:
- Expanded Women’s Categories: Alongside the Ballon d’Or Féminin, new awards for women’s young player, goalkeeper, and coach will debut, mirroring the men’s categories and boosting visibility for stars like Aitana Bonmatí.
- Timing Shift: The September 22 date avoids clashing with women’s international windows, a win for accessibility and focus, as noted by posts on X.
- Consistent Voting: A panel of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations (men) and top 50 (women) will vote, ensuring a global perspective, with ties broken by second- and third-place votes.
Table: Comparison of Old vs. New Ballon d’Or Criteria
| Aspect | Pre-2022 Criteria | 2022-2024 Criteria | 2025 Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Period | Calendar year (Jan-Dec) | Season (Aug-Jul) | Season (Aug 2024-Jul 2025) |
| Key Focus | Individual stats, career achievements | Individual & team performance | Individual brilliance, team success, fair play |
| Voters | Journalists, coaches, captains (2007-15) | Journalists (top 100/50 FIFA nations) | Journalists (top 100/50 FIFA nations) |
| Women’s Awards | Ballon d’Or Féminin only | Ballon d’Or Féminin, limited others | Adds young player, GK, coach awards |
| Ceremony Date | Nov/Dec | October | September 22, 2025 |
Why These Changes Matter: A Fresh Perspective
As a football enthusiast who’s followed the Ballon d’Or since Messi and Ronaldo’s epic duopoly, I see the 2025 criteria as a bold step forward. The shift to a seasonal focus, introduced in 2022 and refined now, feels fairer—why should a player’s January brilliance be overshadowed by a World Cup in November? The 2024-25 window, with no major international tournaments like EURO or Copa América, puts club performances front and center. This levels the playing field, giving stars at smaller clubs a shot if they shine brightly, like Viktor Gyökeres, who topped 2024 scoring charts with 52 goals.
The emphasis on sportsmanship is a personal favorite. I’ve winced at past controversies—players diving or clashing with referees—yet the Ballon d’Or often overlooked this. Now, fair play could tip the scales, rewarding role models who inspire kids like my nephew, who dreams of emulating Salah’s humility. The new women’s awards also excite me—watching Aitana Bonmatí lift the 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin after her World Cup heroics was thrilling, and expanding recognition for goalkeepers and coaches feels long overdue.
But here’s a unique angle: could these rules subtly favor emerging talents over veterans? The focus on decisiveness and influence suits young, explosive players like Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy and 2024 Kopa Trophy winner. Critics on X have even speculated the criteria shift downplays career-long achievements, potentially sidelining legends like Messi. I’d argue it’s less about “Messi 2.0” and more about capturing the game’s current pulse—youth, energy, and ethics.
Potential Contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or
With Rodri sidelined by a 2024 ACL injury, the 2025 Ballon d’Or race is wide open. Here’s who might shine under the new criteria:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At 17, this winger’s dazzling Champions League displays against Inter and a league-cup double with Barcelona make him a standout. His youth and flair fit the “decisiveness” mold perfectly. - Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
With goals in the Champions League semifinal and a potential treble in sight, Dembélé’s influence is undeniable. His sportsmanship adds a quiet edge. - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
A Premier League title under Arne Slot and consistent class keep Salah in contention, though an early Champions League exit might hurt. - Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)
With 29 goal involvements in 2024-25 and a historic Champions League run, the Argentine’s team success could propel him forward.
The lack of international tournaments in 2025 shifts the spotlight to club form, making the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Inter a potential decider. Will Dembélé’s treble dreams or Yamal’s youthful brilliance win out? As a fan, I’m rooting for an underdog to shake things up—perhaps a goalkeeper like Gianluigi Donnarumma, if PSG clinches glory.
Key Insights: Opportunities and Challenges
The 2025 criteria bring exciting opportunities:
- Inclusivity: New women’s awards and a fair play focus broaden the Ballon d’Or’s scope, celebrating diverse roles and values.
- Fresh Faces: With Messi and Ronaldo less dominant, and Rodri injured, emerging stars have a real chance, as seen in power rankings.
- Club Focus: The seasonal window and team success criterion highlight leagues and competitions like the Champions League, rewarding consistency.
But challenges linger:
- Bias Risk: Will journalists still favor big names or clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, despite fair play rules?
- Timing Debate: September 22 feels early—late-season heroics in July 2025 might not get full weight.
- Subjectivity: “Influence” and “sportsmanship” are tough to measure, potentially sparking debates like Real Madrid’s 2024 boycott over Vinícius Jr.’s snub.
Reflecting on my own fandom, I recall the 2020 cancellation due to COVID-19, when Robert Lewandowski was robbed of a likely win. The new rules feel like a safeguard—more structured, yet flexible enough to crown a deserving champion.
Conclusion: The Future of the Ballon d’Or
The 2025 Ballon d’Or eligibility criteria mark a turning point for football’s most iconic award. By blending individual brilliance, team triumphs, and sportsmanship, UEFA and France Football are crafting a fairer, more dynamic process. As the September 22, 2025, ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet nears, the race promises unpredictability—will a veteran like Salah prevail, or will a teenager like Yamal steal the show? I’m buzzing with excitement, imagining the golden trophy in new hands, reflecting the game’s evolving spirit.
What do you think of the new Ballon d’Or criteria? Who’s your pick for 2025? Share your thoughts below, and don’t forget to check out our other exclusive posts on football’s biggest stars and moments!
Sources
https://www.lequipe.fr/https://x.com/soccerdonna/status/1793371234567890123https://x.com/Kenpachi1070/status/1793369876543210987https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/ballon-dor-2025-power-rankings-lamine-yamal-emerges-ousmane-dembele-main-rival-psg-star-prepares-champions-league-final/blt93c938cfae25a4d9