The Ballon d’Or is football’s most illustrious individual award; to win it means to be immortalized in football history forever. Essentially, voters get together to decide who should be considered the player of the year. A large pool of nominees are considered until finally, the most elite footballer on the planet is awarded the prize and is etched into footballing history for generations to come. The French Footballing Federation created the award in 1956, and the winner of the inaugural award was Englishman Stanley Matthews of Blackpool FC. Matthews is still the oldest player to win the award, having been 41 at the time.
In the 21st century, we have seen the award revolve around one of football’s all-time duopolies. Between 2008 and 2018, no other player won the award except Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This dominance was something viewers had never seen in the sport: two men at the highest level of football battling each year to be crowned the best player in the world. In the span of a decade, Ronaldo and Messi each accumulated five total Ballon d’Ors. However, the debate over who was the greatest footballer ever was settled when Lionel Messi won an additional three awards in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
This year’s ceremony took place on Monday, Sept. 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. Footballing icons of the past and present walked the red-carpet event dressed to the nines, reveling in the football history that surrounded them. The rivalries, derbies and drama of football are left aside for the occasion, and the sport’s best all meet within this ceremony. The French international Ousmane Dembele was gifted with the award and immortalized in history among a tough and talented nomination pool. Dembele led French giants Paris Saint-Germain’s attack and supplied a total of 51 goal contributions in all competitions. Dembele’s 35 goals and 16 assists helped him receive this award.
Domestically, he aided in his club’s stellar success in the 2024-2025 campaign by becoming a vital part of PSG’s team that won a continental treble, which includes winning Ligue 1 (French League), Coupe de France (French Cup) and the UEFA Champions league. All these factors aided in his achievement;
The most important takeaway I had from the award this year is its symbolic marking of a new era in football. For years and years, it was always the same: Messi or Ronaldo, who’s going to win the Ballon d’Or? These two athletes’ playing styles were engraved into the game for years. Now, we have something new: 18-year-old Lamine Yamal. Yamal, coming in second place behind Ousmane Dembele, is a clear sign of a new era. The teenage prodigy who plays for Barcelona leads a long line of runners-up who have broken onto the scene in recent years. These footballers seem to have a certain youth, flair and vibe about them that screams of a new age of football. The fluidity with which these athletes play reminds fans of the mavericks of the past, like Ronaldinho Gaucho and Zinedine Zidane.
Tor many fans, was the first year where the Ballon d’Or wasn’t easy to guess beforehand. It was a toss-up, with the list of nominees all demonstrating unbelievable levels of class and talent throughout the previous season. Messi and Ronaldo are clearly legends of the game; however, this new influx of talent, skill and ability is a very promising sign of a new era to come. For the first time, it seems as though fans feel safe, the competition is fierce and youthful, and the game is in the right direction. Football is not the same without Messi and Ronaldo, but all good things must come to an end. In the past, this idea has been difficult for fans to comprehend. Football without these two men leading is something many fans my age are not entirely familiar with. Nevertheless, I feel in good hands knowing the future of the sport is led by young, exciting talent who dazzle before our eyes, who take risks and who respect and appreciate the game we all love.
Football is being reimagined before our eyes, from a youthful explosion of talent to revolutionary tactics. The game is being rewritten for a new, exciting generation. This isn’t just the next step for football; it’s a transformation. A new era is destined for the world’s game, and it is rapidly nearing its future. And this is only just the beginning.