Ousmane Dembélé Frontrunner for 2025 Ballon d’Or Amid Controversy and Anticipation
The highly anticipated 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to unfold on Monday, September 22, at the historic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This prestigious award recognizes the world’s best soccer players, and this year’s event is poised to be particularly noteworthy, with rising star Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) among the frontrunners for the men’s award. As expectations mount, questions continue to swirl regarding Dembélé’s attendance due to a scheduling conflict created by PSG’s away match against Olympique Marseille being postponed.
Broadcast Details and Ceremony Format
Fans of soccer can tune in for red carpet coverage starting at 2 PM ET, followed by the awards ceremony at 3 PM ET, which will be hosted by CBS Sports’ Kate Scott. This year’s ceremony distinguishes itself for featuring equal recognition for both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring a level playing field across all awards.
Voting System and Award Categories
The voting process for the Ballon d’Or relies on three key components: individual performances, team achievements, and overall career impact. A panel composed of 100 sports journalists for the men’s award and 50 for the women’s will vote and rank their top 10 players. Points are allocated as follows:
- 1st place: 15 points
- 2nd place: 12 points
- 3rd place: 10 points
- 4th place: 8 points
- 5th place: 7 points
- 6th place: 5 points
- 7th place: 4 points
- 8th place: 3 points
- 9th place: 2 points
- 10th place: 1 point
Additionally, the Kopa Trophy, designated for the best young player, involves a different voting system led by former Ballon d’Or winners.
What To Expect in 2025
This edition of the Ballon d’Or marks a crucial pivot toward equality, with parallel categories established for both genders. The following awards will be presented:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or (best male player)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or (best female player)
- Men’s Kopa Trophy (best male U21 player)
- Women’s Kopa Trophy (best female U21 player)
- Men’s and Women’s Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper)
- Men’s and Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy (top goalscorer)
- Men’s and Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy (best coach)
- Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year (best team)
- Socrates Award (for humanitarian efforts)
Last Year’s Controversy
The previous edition saw Real Madrid withdraw from the ceremony in protest. Following Rodri’s win, the delegation openly criticized the award criteria, arguing that Real Madrid players had been overlooked. The situation escalated to the extent that they declared they would not attend an event where they felt disrespected. This controversy remains a critical backdrop as this year’s nominees prepare for the awards.
Potential Attendance Issues for Dembélé
Dembélé’s participation in the ceremony has become a point of contention. His club’s match against Olympique Marseille has been rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions, casting doubt on his ability to attend. Although he’s currently sidelined with an injury, his absence would be felt particularly keenly in light of his frontrunner status for the Ballon d’Or.
Nominees and Their Credentials
This year’s nominees for the Men’s Ballon d’Or include prominent names such as:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
On the women’s side, standout nominees include:
- Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
- Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
- Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
Conclusion: The Importance of the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or remains one of the most prestigious accolades in the world of soccer, symbolizing individual excellence and dedication in the sport. As the ceremony approaches, the questions surrounding nominees, attendance, and awards will keep soccer fans and analysts engaged. The ambition of promoting gender parity within the awards signifies an important cultural shift in the sport, potentially shaping future recognition standards in soccer. The outcomes on Monday will likely resonate throughout the soccer community, influencing players’ careers and the dynamics of forthcoming seasons.
