Dembele leads Ballon d'Or contenders as Paris ceremony opens; Madrid boycott rumor surfaces

Ousmane Dembele has emerged as the leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, as the ceremony at Theatre du Châtelet in Paris is poised to crown football's top individual prize. The event is set for tonight, with Dembele — PSG's standout in their Champions League push — attending despite an injury that rules him out of PSG's game this evening.

In the early ballots, the rankings have begun to reveal the spread of voting. Jude Bellingham finishes 23rd, down from third last year, with three nominations to his name. Fabian Ruiz sits 24th and Alexis Mac Allister 22nd. Erling Haaland is listed 26th, while Denzel Dumfries is 25th. Haaland, who finished fifth last year, remains one of the competition's highest-profile names as the field narrows toward the winner. There is also a report that Real Madrid are set to boycott the ceremony again, continuing a pattern that has marked the event in recent years.

The men's award nominees total 30 players, with a spread of established stars and rising talents. Notable names in the mix include Pedri, Harry Kane and Scott McTominay, among others, reflecting a season that delivered both European club competition drama and strong individual campaigns. The countdown to the winner has begun, and while Dembele sits near the top of the bookmakers’ lists, the eventual outcome remains in the balance as voters weigh a wide range of performances across the 2024/25 season. The ceremony will begin at around 8 p.m. UK time, with the winner revealed at night’s end as part of a broader awards evening that also honors multiple categories.

Beyond the men’s Ballon d’Or, the ceremony will crown several other prizes recognizing top performers across the 2024/25 season. The Women’s Ballon d’Or, the Men’s and Women’s Kopa trophies for promising young players, the Yashin trophies for goalkeepers, the Gerd Müller trophies for top scorers, and the Johan Cruyff trophies for coaches will all be awarded. Additional honors include two club-of-the-year trophies and the Socrates Award, highlighting a wide array of achievements beyond the overarching Ballon d’Or prize. This blend of awards underscores the ceremony’s role as the sport’s premier individual prize night.

As fans await the ceremony’s proceedings, the live coverage provides a window into the evolving storylines. The event at Theatre du Châtelet in Paris marks another year of high-profile appearances, glittering gowns, and the debate over who most fully captured the essence of the 2024/25 season. The lineup of nominees and the evolving rankings will continue to unfold in the hours ahead, with the winner expected to be announced as part of a formal presentation that also highlights coaches and clubs of the year, among other honors. The night’s proceedings are set to emphasize not only individual brilliance but the broader narratives that defined European football over the past season.

The event’s aesthetic and pageantry sit alongside rigorous judging and balloting, with the final results expected to reflect performances across domestic leagues, continental competitions, and international duty. As the ceremony nears, Dembele’s own case is bolstered by his standout contributions during PSG’s campaign, even as he recovers from injury and prepares to participate in tonight’s formal proceedings. The Ballon d'Or remains one of football’s most scrutinized awards, and this year’s ceremony promises a balance of star power, form in the 2024/25 season, and the enduring debate over which performances best captured the year.

From the red carpet to the stage, the night will also spotlight the sport’s global footprint, with fans in attendance and millions more watching around the world. While the list of categories sanitizes the complexity of the season into clear accolades, the subjective judgments behind each award will fuel discussion well beyond Paris as pundits dissect votes and players reflect on a year that produced both triumphs and surprises.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony remains a focal point for football’s global fan base, serving not only as a celebration of individual excellence but also as a barometer of how votes align with fans and critics alike. As the night unfolds, the decisions cast will shape the narrative surrounding players like Pedri, Kane, McTominay, and the ever-present discussions about who most clearly defined the 2024/25 season. The awards are scheduled to be handed out in a setting that blends sport, culture and a hint of show business, capturing the sport’s enduring appeal and its capacity to generate debate and excitement around the world.