Ballon d’Or: Yamal, Dembele ignored as ex-Premier League midfielder hails ‘fantastic’ inclusion

Seye Omidiora 16:22 - 08 August 2025

Ignoring the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or, one surprise inclusion in the 2025 shortlist has been lauded after ending his nation’s 38-year wait.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist has been revealed, featuring Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah and Ousmane Dembele among the nominees for the men's award.

Ballon d’Or 2025

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal (Credit: Instagram)

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England players Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice and Harry Kane are also included in the 30-player list.

Barcelona stars Yamal, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri made the shortlist following their success in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Super Cup, as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

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Notably, Yamal is also nominated for the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player.

Paris Saint-Germain has a strong representation this year, with Dembele and several teammates, including Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi, recognised for their remarkable season that culminated in a league title and Champions League victory.

PSG star Ousmane Dembele (Credit: Instagram)

Other contenders include new Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres and Manchester City's Erling Haaland.

However, for the second year running, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo is on the shortlist.

ESPN’s Burley praises fantastic nominee

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay (Credit: Instagram)

While the above-mentioned nominees have been praised for their impressive 2025-26 campaigns, Craig Burley has lauded countryman Scott McTominay, who celebrates his first nomination after winning the Serie A title with Napoli.

The Scotland midfielder departed Manchester United in late August 2024, signing for the Partenopei for a deal said to be worth £26 million.

Under Antonio Conte, McTominay scored 12 goals in 34 Serie A appearances as the Naples-based club claimed a second Serie A title in three years and fourth overall.

The 28-year-old’s strong season and Ballon d’Or nomination have drawn praise from former Chelsea midfielder Burley.

“First Scottish player for 38 years,” said Burley on ESPN. “Obviously he’s not going to come close to winning it, but how fantastic is that?

“Put out by Man United, goes to Napoli and wins the Scudetto; he’s loved by the Napoli fans and he’s just done a great job, so fantastic for him.”

Ballon d’Or 2025 Shortlist in full

Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Desire Doue (PSG)
Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Haaland (Man City)
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Scott McTominay (Napoli)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Joao Neves (PSG)
Pedri (Barcelona)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool )
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool )
Vitinha (PSG )
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

When is the 2025 Ballon d’Or?

The winners will be announced in Paris on September 22.

Lamine Yamal Ousmane Dembele Scott McTominay Barcelona Paris Saint-Germain SSC Napoli