The full list of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or has been officially released, with Nigeria’s football stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman conspicuously absent—despite their recent back-to-back CAF Player of the Year awards.
According to Goal, the 30-man shortlist is dominated by players who excelled in the UEFA Champions League and Europe’s top domestic leagues. Paris Saint-Germain lead the nominations, with key players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Joao Neves all recognised for their roles in the club’s historic treble-winning season, which included a maiden UEFA Champions League title.
Dembélé, in particular, had a standout campaign, emerging as a talisman for PSG. Real Madrid’s trio of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior also made the cut, as did Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah earned his spot after a record-breaking season in which he scored 29 goals and registered 18 assists, playing a key role in the club’s Premier League title triumph.
The list also features Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and breakout star Michael Olise, while promising youngsters like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, and PSG’s Joao Neves were included. Veteran stalwarts Robert Lewandowski and Virgil van Dijk also retained their places among football’s elite.
The omission of Osimhen and Lookman has sparked reactions across African football circles, with many fans and analysts questioning the criteria used—given the duo’s outstanding performances at both club and international levels over the past season.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the Women’s Yachine Trophy, an award recognising the best female goalkeeper in the world.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, September 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Manchester City’s Rodri, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, will be aiming to defend his title against a formidable list of challengers.
