The organisers of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award have revealed the three major criteria that will guide the selection of this year’s winners. According to the announcement, the first criterion centres on **individual performance throughout the year**, with particular recognition for players who demonstrated decisive brilliance in crucial moments. The second criterion focuses on **team success**, rewarding those whose contributions played a significant role in the achievements of their club or national side in major competitions. Finally, the organisers highlighted the importance of **class and fair play**, emphasising that the Ballon d’Or is not solely about statistics or technical ability, but also about celebrating players who embody the spirit of football both on and off the pitch. This clarification is aimed at providing fans and analysts with greater transparency, as debates over potential winners often dominate discussions in the build-up to the ceremony. The **2025 Ballon d’Or awards** will be held in Paris on **Monday, 22 September**. ### Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Désiré Doué, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Viktor Gyökeres, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Scott McTominay, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Michael Olise, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabián Ruiz, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Vinícius Júnior, Vitinha, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal. ### Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees Sandy Baltimore, Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmatí, Lucy Bronze, Klara Bühl, Mariona Caldentey, Sofia Cantore, Steph Catley, Temwa Chawinga, Melchie Dumornay, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther González, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Lindsey Heaps, Chloe Kelly, Frida Maanum, Marta, Clara Mateo, Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Caroline Weir, Leah Williamson.