The Ballon d’Or, soccer’s most prestigious individual prize, underwent a historic change in 2022 when announced the award would no longer be based on a player’s performances across the calendar year.
Instead, the award is now judged on a player’s impact over the course of a single season—a logical switch that has simplified comparisons and made the process feel more relevant.
Since the change, Karim Benzema, Lionel Messi and Rodri have each lifted the trophy. But with none of them in contention this year, and no other former winners nominated either, the Ballon d’Or will be handed to a new name in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Ballon d’Or Féminin—introduced in 2018 and awarded to the best women’s player in the world—follows the same format, though unlike the men’s award, there the possibility of yet another repeat winner when the trophies are handed out at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on September 22.
Here are the nominees for both awards and how the voting process works.
2025 Ballon d'Or Nominees2025 Ballon d'Or Féminin Nominees2025 Ballon d'Or Voting FormatWho Won the 2024 Ballon d'Or?Who Won the 2024 Ballon d'Or Féminin?
