Ballon d'Or 2025: When, what time, and where to watch the gala
Lamine Yamal could spring a surprise and become the youngest player to receive the award over a favorite, Ousmane Dembélé.
BarcelonaParis is once again dressed up for the Ballon d'Or ceremony, the award given by the French magazine France Football and recognizes the best player of the season. Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé are the two favorites to take home the award this year. The winger from Rocafonda, who at just 18 years old already wears the number 10 at Barça, is looking to surpass Ronaldo Nazário and become the youngest player to win this trophy. Meanwhile, the former Barça player, a Champions League winner with PSG, is aiming to become the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema. The mystery was kept secret until the day of the ceremony, and the winner won't be revealed until seven minutes before eleven at night. A gala in which a large part of the PSG expedition will be missing, as they play against Olympique de Marseille at 8 p.m., a match that was postponed yesterday Sunday due to weather conditions.
In addition to Lamine Yamal and Dembélé, Pedri, Raphinha, and Lewandowski are also among the 30 finalists. Minutes before, the Women's Ballon d'Or will be awarded. Uncertainty also looms, with former Barça player Mariona Caldentey one of the favorites after winning the Champions League with Arsenal. Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí will seek to maintain Barça's dominance, which in the last four editions has traveled to Barcelona (twice for Alexia and twice for Aitana). Alessia Russo, of the English club, is also among the candidates to take home the trophy. A list that also includes Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Ewa Pajor, and Claudia Pina.
The strong season for Hansi Flick and Pere Romeu's team will also ensure Barça representation in the other awards. Pau Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal (reigning champion), and Vicky López are nominated for the Kopa Trophy for best player under 21. Cata Coll is among the finalists for the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper. In addition, Hansi Flick will compete with former Barça player Luis Enrique for the Johan Cruyff Trophy, which honors the best coach. Finally, Barça—both men's and women's—are nominated for the Club of the Year Trophy in 2025.
When and where to watch the Ballon d'Or gala?
The ceremony, which will take place at the Châtelet Theatre (Paris), will begin this Monday, September 22nd at 9:00 PM and can be followed live on the Movistar platform via its Movistar Plus+ channel (channel 7). The new winner of the women's Ballon d'Or will be announced around 10:15 PM, and the men's winner around 11:00 PM.