The criteria for the 2025 Ballon d’Or have now been officially announced, outlining the key factors that will determine football’s most prestigious individual honor.
As the 2025 ceremony approaches, excitement is building around the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where the footballing world will gather to honor the season’s standout performers.
The award, steeped in tradition, has historically been a benchmark for recognizing the best talents, from legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to emerging stars making their mark.
However, the criteria that define this coveted prize have always been a topic of intrigue, sparking debates among fans and analysts about what truly constitutes a worthy winner.
Today, the official Ballon d’Or account shed light on the award’s judging process, revealing a significant update to its core criteria.
The prestigious trophy will now be awarded based on three main pillars: individual performances with decisive and impressive character, team performances and achievements, and class and fair play.
This shift marks a departure from past practices where career-long contributions or specific international tournament successes often swayed votes.
The new focus emphasizes a player’s impact during the season (August 2024 to July 2025), aligning the award more closely with recent club performances, especially given the absence of major international tournaments this cycle.
This change could reshape the race, putting players like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, with his remarkable 21 goals and 25 assists, and PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, boasting 37 goals and 14 assists, in the spotlight.
Their contributions to La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Champions League align perfectly with the updated criteria.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, with a record-breaking Premier League season, also fits the mold, igniting passionate discussions online.
The inclusion of fair play as a criterion adds a fresh layer, potentially rewarding players who exemplify sportsmanship alongside skill.
This evolution in criteria not only honors current brilliance but also sets a new standard for the future of the Ballon d’Or, promising a thrilling and fair contest.
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