Ballon d’Or 2025: Raphinha and Vini Jr. lead Brazilians in the race for the world’s best player award

The 2025 Ballon d’Or, organized by France Football, announced its finalists on August 7, spotlighting Brazilians Raphinha, from Barcelona, and Vinicius Jr., from Real Madrid, among the 30 nominees for the world’s best player award. The ceremony, set for September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, celebrates the 2024/25 season, from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. Alongside the two forwards, Brazil is represented by Alisson Becker, Estêvão, Marta, Amanda Gutierres, Arthur Elias, and Botafogo, competing in categories like best goalkeeper, under-21 player, women’s player, coach, and club. The awards reflect Brazil’s strength in a field dominated by European clubs, with PSG leading with nine nominations. The event promises intense rivalry and a balance between experience and youth.

The 2024/25 season delivered unforgettable performances, with players from various leagues showcasing talent and consistency. Raphinha, with impressive stats, and Vinicius Jr., known for his flair, elevate Brazil’s prominence. Young stars like Lamine Yamal and veterans like Mohamed Salah heighten the competition.

• Raphinha: 34 goals and 25 assists for Barcelona.
• Vinicius Jr.: decisive dribbles and UEFA Super Cup for Real Madrid.
• PSG: dominates with nine nominated players, boosted by the Champions League.

The event also emphasizes gender equality, with women’s categories gaining equal prominence, marking a milestone in the award’s history.

Brazilian performance in the spotlight

Brazil arrives strong at the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with representatives in six categories. Raphinha solidified his role as a key player for Barcelona, leading the team to LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles. His versatility, with 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 matches, makes him a favorite. Vinicius Jr., despite a season with fewer titles at Real Madrid, continues to impress with his game-changing ability, especially in international competitions.

In the Yashin Trophy, Alisson Becker, from Liverpool, is a top contender. A Premier League champion in 2024/25, the goalkeeper won the award in 2019 and is known for his consistency and crucial saves. Estêvão, formerly of Palmeiras and now at Chelsea, shines in the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player, after being named the 2024 Brasileirão revelation.

In women’s football, Marta, from Orlando Pride, and Amanda Gutierres, from Palmeiras, compete for the best player award. Marta, with a legendary career, scored two goals in the Copa América, while Amanda celebrates her first nomination, reflecting her rise in Brazilian football. Arthur Elias, coach of the Brazilian women’s national team, is up for the Cruyff Trophy after winning the Copa América and earning silver in Paris 2024.

• Alisson Becker: Premier League champion and Yashin Trophy favorite.
• Estêvão: Brasileirão revelation, now shining at Chelsea.
• Marta: two previous nominations, icon of women’s football.
• Amanda Gutierres: first nomination, standout at Palmeiras.

Botafogo among the global elite

Botafogo, champion of the 2024 Libertadores and Brasileirão, surprises as a nominee for the best club of the year, facing giants like Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and PSG. Winning the Libertadores, a milestone for the Rio club, highlights the rise of Brazilian football globally. The team, known for its solid defense and efficient attack, is the only South American representative in the men’s category.

In women’s football, Orlando Pride, powered by Marta, is also in the running for best club, competing with powerhouses like Barcelona and Chelsea. The nomination underscores the competitiveness of football in the Americas, with Brazil gaining ground in a historically European-dominated field.

• Botafogo: Libertadores and Brasileirão double in 2024.
• Orlando Pride: standout with Marta in the NWSL.
• Competitors: Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and PSG in the men’s category.
• Women’s football: Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Lyon among nominees.

Young talents steal the show

The Kopa Trophy, for the best under-21 players, features Estêvão as Brazil’s representative, but Lamine Yamal, from Barcelona, is the favorite. At 18, Yamal impresses with his maturity and dribbling, becoming indispensable to the Catalan club. Other names, like João Neves, from PSG, and Pau Cubarsí, also from Barcelona, highlight the strength of the new generation in world football.

Estêvão, who moved from Palmeiras to Chelsea, exemplifies Brazil’s ability to produce stars. His season in the Brasileirão and Club World Cup put him on the radar of major European clubs, and his Kopa Trophy nomination reflects that potential. The young talent awards underscore the constant renewal in the sport, with growing investments in promising players.

• Lamine Yamal: favorite for the Kopa Trophy with standout performances.
• Estêvão: ex-Palmeiras, now shining at Chelsea.
• João Neves: young PSG prospect on the list.
• Pau Cubarsí: Barcelona defender with a bright future.

Award voting system

The Ballon d’Or voting is conducted by journalists from 100 countries, selected based on the FIFA ranking. Each juror picks a top 10 in the men’s and women’s categories, with points ranging from 15 for first place to 1 for tenth. The evaluation period, from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, considers individual performance, collective achievements, fair play, and team impact.

The Champions League, won by PSG, is a decisive factor, explaining the club’s nine nominated players. However, performances in domestic leagues like the Premier League and LaLiga, as well as international tournaments like the Copa América, also influence votes. The system’s transparency ensures the award’s credibility, a benchmark in world football.

• Criteria: performance, titles, fair play, and team impact.
• Scoring: 15 points for 1st, 12 for 2nd, down to 1 for 10th.
• Jurors: journalists from 100 FIFA-ranked countries.
• Period: August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.

Strength of women’s football

The 2025 Ballon d’Or women’s category highlights the sport’s growth, with Marta and Amanda Gutierres representing Brazil. Aitana Bonmatí, a two-time winner, is the favorite for a third title, but faces competition from Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen, both from Barcelona. Gender equality, emphasized by France Football, ensures women’s categories receive equal prominence, with global broadcasts and significant visibility.

Marta, at 39, remains a global football icon, while Amanda Gutierres, at 24, represents the new generation. The presence of players from various continents, like Barbra Banda, from Orlando Pride, and Temwa Chawinga, from Kansas City Current, reinforces the diversity of women’s football.

• Aitana Bonmatí: favorite for a third title.
• Marta: icon with two Copa América goals.
• Amanda Gutierres: first nomination at 24.
• Caroline Graham Hansen: technical standout at Barcelona.

PSG dominates nominations

Paris Saint-Germain leads with nine players nominated for the men’s award, driven by their 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan. Players like Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, and Achraf Hakimi are among the favorites, with standout performances in the European campaign. The French club’s dominance reflects heavy investments and an ambitious project yielding results.

Beyond players, coach Luis Enrique, Champions League winner, is a contender for the Cruyff Trophy, facing names like Antonio Conte, from Napoli, and Hansi Flick, from Barcelona. PSG’s prominence in the awards is clear, but competition with clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool keeps the race open.

• Ousmane Dembélé: 13 goal involvements in the Champions League.
• Kylian Mbappé: offensive leader at PSG.
• Luis Enrique: Champions League winner and Cruyff Trophy favorite.
• Competitors: Barcelona with four nominees, Liverpool with three.