UEFA has unveiled revised voting guidelines for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, addressing growing anticipation and concerns surrounding the prestigious individual football award.
The early date of the ceremony, which is scheduled for September 22 at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet, underlines the increased excitement for what is expected to be one of the most surprising editions in recent memory.
With significant events like the UEFA Champions League final, Nations League, and Club World Cup still to come, a clear frontrunner has yet to be identified.
The revised criteria for the Ballon d’Or, as reported by L’Équipe, will emphasize three key areas: Individual Performances, which assess players’ brilliance and impact on the field; Collective Success, which considers titles won with clubs and national teams; and Sportsmanship and Fair Play, highlighting the integrity of the sport.
UEFA aims to honor the best footballer of the year based on genuine merit, moving away from an overemphasis on lifetime achievements that could cloud judgment.
The competition for this year’s award is still very much open. Last year’s recipient, Rodri, won the accolade over Vinicius Jr. despite Real Madrid’s early exit from the Champions League, thanks to his pivotal contributions for Manchester City in the Premier League and for Spain in 2024.
With the Nations League approaching, national teams such as Spain, France, Portugal, and Germany are likely to play a significant role in shaping the final votes. However, players like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Pedri, who will not participate in the Nations League or Club World Cup, may see their opportunities diminished.
On the other hand, Kylian Mbappé, despite not winning major trophies in his first season with Real Madrid, remains a formidable candidate. His pursuit of the Golden Boot and involvement in upcoming tournaments could greatly enhance his prospects.
As a significant step toward promoting gender equality in sports, UEFA has also announced that all male prizes will now have female equivalents.
