Key Contenders for the Ballon d'Or Awards
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé and England forward Chloe Kelly are among the top contenders for the men's and women's Ballon d'Or awards. The 30 nominees for each category were revealed by France Football magazine, with the winners set to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on September 22.
Dembélé, 28, played a pivotal role in leading PSG to its first-ever Champions League title after years of disappointment. His efforts also helped the French club complete a treble. Last season, he scored a career-high 35 goals for PSG, showcasing his exceptional form.
In the men’s category, other notable names include Lamine Yamal, a teenage sensation whose dazzling performances in the Champions League helped Barcelona secure the Spanish league title. He has been a standout player this season, drawing attention from fans and critics alike.
Chloe Kelly, 27, made headlines during the Women’s European Championship when she scored the decisive penalty in the final against Spain. Her performance was crucial in England’s victory, and she also played a vital role in the tense knockout stages. Last season, Kelly contributed to Arsenal’s triumph in the Women’s Champions League, where they overcame powerhouse Barcelona in an underdog win.
Kelly faces strong competition from her England teammates Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton, both of whom play for Chelsea. Additionally, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, who has won the award in the past two years, is also in the running.
Barcelona players have dominated the women’s Ballon d'Or in recent years, securing four consecutive titles. Lucy Bronze was a runner-up in 2019, when Megan Rapinoe of the United States took the honor.
PSG Players in the Spotlight
PSG has a strong presence in the men’s nominations, with nine players included. Among them is goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who played a critical role in PSG’s success. Forward Désiré Doué, who scored twice in the 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, is also nominated. Winger Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, who joined from Napoli in January, has been a key figure for the team.
Other men’s nominees include Egypt’s Mo Salah, whose 29 league goals helped Liverpool win the Premier League, and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who netted 44 times for the club last season. Midfielder Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2023, missed most of the previous season due to a knee injury.
Real Madrid had a contentious relationship with the event last year after Vinícius Júnior finished second. The club and its players later expressed their dissatisfaction on social media.
Voting System and Other Nominations
The Ballon d'Or, created by France Football magazine, has been awarded since 1956 for men and since 2018 for women. For the men’s award, journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries vote, while the women’s award involves journalists from the top 50 FIFA-ranked countries. Each journalist selects players in ranked order, with points assigned to each position. The winner is determined by the highest total points.
Other notable nominations include PSG coach Luis Enrique for best men’s coach and England’s Sarina Wiegman for best women’s coach. Gianluigi Donnarumma is a favorite for the Lev Yashin award, given to the best men’s goalkeeper, while Hannah Hampton is among the five candidates for the women’s version of the award.