What's happened
The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony took place at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, honoring the world's best footballers. Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappé are among top contenders, with Scottish players Scott McTominay and Caroline Weir nominated for the first time. The event celebrated achievements across men's and women's football.
What's behind the headline?
The 2025 Ballon d'Or underscores a shifting landscape in football, with increased recognition for women's achievements and Scottish talent. The ceremony's emphasis on inclusivity and social issues, highlighted by Wiegman's speech, reflects broader industry trends. The nominations of McTominay and Weir signal a historic moment for Scottish football, breaking long-standing absence from the awards. The event also reveals the growing influence of young players like Yamal and Dembele, who are poised to dominate future awards. The absence of some traditional contenders and the focus on emerging stars suggest a transitional phase in football's elite hierarchy, with the potential for new legends to emerge.
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the emotional and cultural significance of the event, emphasizing Wiegman's advocacy for inclusivity and the celebration of women's football. The Scotsman provides detailed insights into the nominations, especially the historic Scottish presence, and the craftsmanship behind the trophy. Both sources agree on the ceremony's importance but differ in focus: The Guardian on social issues and individual achievements, The Scotsman on Scottish milestones and technical details. The Al Jazeera adds context about the award's history and its global significance, noting the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo in previous years and the emergence of new contenders like Dembele and Yamal. The Japan Times offers a broader international perspective, emphasizing the transition from Messi and Ronaldo's era to a new generation of stars.
How we got here
The Ballon d'Or, established in 1956 by France Football, is football's most prestigious individual award. It recognizes outstanding talent and achievements over the past year. The ceremony, held annually in Paris, features nominations from top clubs worldwide, with past winners including Messi and Ronaldo. This year marks notable Scottish nominations and a focus on emerging young stars.
Go deeper
Common question
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Who Are the Big Winners at the 2025 Ballon d'Or?
The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris has highlighted some remarkable achievements in football, especially with Scottish players making history. Fans and sports enthusiasts are eager to know who took home the top awards and what these wins mean for the sport. In this page, we'll explore the winners, the significance of the event, and what it reveals about current football trends.
More on these topics
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Scott Francis McTominay is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Scotland national team.
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Ruud Gullit is a Dutch footballer and subsequent manager who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s as an attacking midfielder, midfielder or forward.
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Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,150,271 residents as of 2020, in an area of 105 square kilometres.
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Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana is a Spanish professional footballer from Catalonia who plays as a right winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. He is regarded as one of the best young talents in the world.
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The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by French news magazine France Football that is one of the oldest and generally regarded as the most prestigious individual award for football players.
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Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains both Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
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Caroline Elspeth Lillias Weir is a Scottish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Manchester City of the FA WSL, and the Scotland women's national team.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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France Football is a French weekly magazine containing football news from all over the world. It is considered to be one of the most reputable sports publications in Europe, mostly because of its photographic reports, in-depth and exclusive interviews and