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Key Points

The 69th Ballon d’Or will take place on September 22 in Paris, continuing its legacy as football’s most prestigious individual award. UEFA has expanded the ceremony with new women’s categories, reflecting growing recognition in the sport. Last year’s winners included Rodri and Aitana Bonmati, with Real Madrid and Barcelona securing multiple accolades. Fans eagerly await this year’s nominees, set to be announced in August.

Key Points: Ballon d'Or 2025 Set for September 22 with New Women's Categories

  • UEFA and Groupe Amaury co-organize the 69th Ballon d'Or
  • New women’s categories introduced for 2025
  • Rodri and Aitana Bonmati won 2024 awards
  • Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate recent honors
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69th edition of Ballon d'Or set to take place on September 22

The 69th Ballon d'Or awards will honor football's best on September 22 in Paris, featuring new women's categories and expanded recognition.

"This year’s Ballon d’Or will celebrate excellence across men’s and women’s football like never before. – UEFA"

New Delhi, May 19

The 69th edition of the Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual accolade, is scheduled on September 22 at the iconic Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.

UEFA and Groupe Amaury have partnered since last year to co-organise the celebrated event. Presented annually by France Football since 1956, the Ballon d'Or is the most distinguished accolade a football player can receive, recognising exceptional talent and outstanding achievements on the pitch.

UEFA confirmed that this year's recognition program features three new categories celebrating the achievements of female players, and the nominees will be announced at the beginning of August.

The 2025 awards will include the Men's and Women's Ballon d'Or, Men's and Women's Kopa Trophy (best young player), Men's and Women's Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), Men's and Women's Gerd Muller Trophy (top scorer in club/national team), Men's and Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy (best coach in club/national team), Men's and Women's Club of the Year, and Socrates Award, presented by L'Equipe group and Peace and Sport, for solidarity actions or societal causes carried out by a committed champion.

Last year, Manchester City midfielder Rodri was crowned the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or winner. Brazilian forward and Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr was also a frontrunner for the award ahead of the ceremony, but the Spaniard overshadowed him for the prestigious award.

Meanwhile, Barcelona Femeni player Aitana Bonmati won the women's Ballon d'Or for the second consecutive time. Additionally, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti received the Johan Cruyff Trophy as the men's coach of the year, while former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes took home the women's award after leading the USA to Olympic gold this summer. Real Madrid was also recognised as the men's club of the year for 2024.

Barcelona wonderkid and Spanish winger, Yamine Lamal, was awarded the Kopa Trophy for the best male player under the age of 21, while Argentine and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin Trophy for the second time in a row.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Exciting to see Indian football fans getting more interested in global football awards! Though I wish we had more Indian representation at such events. Maybe someday our ISL players will make the nominee list 🇮🇳⚽ #FootballDreams
P
Priya M.
Happy to see women's football getting equal recognition now with separate categories. Aitana Bonmati absolutely deserved her back-to-back wins! Hope this inspires more Indian girls to take up football seriously.
A
Arjun S.
Vinicius Jr was robbed last year! Rodri had a great season but Vini's impact was next level. Hope he gets his due this time. Also, Yamine Lamal is a future Ballon d'Or winner - mark my words!
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Sunita R.
The Socrates Award is my favorite - footballers using their platform for social causes is so important. More Indian celebrities should take note! 👏 Also, why don't we have watch parties for Ballon d'Or in Indian cities?
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Vikram J.
While I appreciate the glamour of Ballon d'Or, sometimes it feels too Euro-centric. Players from Asian and African leagues rarely get considered despite outstanding performances. The criteria should be more inclusive.
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Neha P.
As a football mom in Mumbai, my son lives for these awards! He's already making his predictions 😂 This year I'm rooting for Bellingham - what a debut season at Madrid! Who are you all supporting?

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