The Ballon d’Or 2025 nominee list appreciates players for their labours in the previous campaign. Although most of the names from the list are unlikely to even be in the running for the top award, this commemorates their performances and hard work. There are some big names that France Football has missed out on while releasing this list.
The criteria considered for the Ballon d’Or 2025
- Individual performances, decisive and impressive character
- Team performances and achievements
- Class and fair play
The 2025 edition of the Ballon d’Or will consider achievements from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. The Ballon d’Or is voted on by specialised journalists from countries in the Top 100 in the latest FIFA rankings. Each country has one representative for the award.
1. Bruno Fernandes
- Club: Manchester United
- Nationality: Portugal
- 2024/25 Appearances: 57
- 2024/25 Goals and Assists: 19 goals and 19 assists
- 2024/25 Achievements: UEFA Europa League Top Goal Scorer, UEFA Nations League Winner.
Many would argue that Bruno Fernandes was not awarded a position on this list due to his club’s woes. However, very few can deny the impact Bruno Fernandes has had in a standout individual season. Despite playing in a side that struggled to score goals, Fernandes finished the season with the most chances created in the Premier League.
2. Alexander Isak
- Club: Newcastle United
- Nationality: Sweden
- 2024/25 Appearances: 42
- 2024/25 Goals and Assists: 27 goals and 6 assists
- 2024/25 Achievements: English League Cup winner
The £150 million valuation has not been placed on Isak’s tag without reason. The Swedish striker enjoyed a fantastic Premier League campaign, scoring 23 goals in 34 appearances.
He also played a pivotal role in Newcastle United ending their 56-year-long trophy drought, winning Newcastle United the EFL Cup against Liverpool.
3. Alessandro Bastoni
- Club: Inter Milan
- Nationality: Italy
- 2024/25 Appearances: 57
- 2024/25 Goals and Assists: 2 goals and 6 assists
- 2024/25 Achievements: Serie A Defender Of The Season.
Inter Milan enjoyed a subpar season according to their standards, despite making the Champions League final. However, Bastoni still had a solid campaign, arguably the club’s best player throughout.
He featured regularly for the Nerazzurri and played a key role in their run to the final. Inter Milan’s 5-0 loss to PSG in the final probably hurt his chances of a nomination.
4. Marquinhos
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Nationality: Brazil
- 2024/25 Appearances: 48
- 2024/25 Goals and Assists: 3 goals and 0 assists
- 2024/25 Achievements: UEFA Champions League winner, Ligue 1 winner, Coupe de France winner, French Super Cup winner
Although PSG have 9 nominations in the Ballon d’Or nominees, it is a shame that neither of the centre-backs got a call. After 12 seasons in the French capital, Marquinhos was finally able to lay his hands on the iconic Champions League trophy.
A trophy he had been chasing for so long. This feat, along with his leadership as captain, should have been enough to at least earn himself a nomination.
Conclusion
In the end, the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist has sparked just as much debate for the names it left out as for the ones it included. While the final nominees will continue to dominate headlines and predictions in the build-up to the ceremony, several players have missed out on receiving the flowers they deserved. These debates, however, will continue endlessly ever after the award is handed out.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
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