Nobody Saw This Coming: Breaking Down The Shock Ballon d'Or Picks

Nobody Saw This Coming: Breaking Down The Shock Ballon d'Or Picks

What Is The Ballon d'Or?

Often regarded as the most prestigious individual award within football, the Ballon d'Or is awarded each year to the best footballer in the world for that season. In the men's game, it is decided by a panel of select journalists who consider performances, trophies, and a player's impact across the season.

In recent times, the award has been dominated by two individuals: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Since 2008, only three players not named Messi or Ronaldo have lifted the famous golden ball (Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and Rodri).

We might never see Ballon d’Or winners like these again 😢 pic.twitter.com/x8WABo7tGD

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 7, 2025

Messi holds the record for the number of wins with his eight awards, and Ronaldo has five. But neither are nominated for the 2025 award, so let's take a look at who will be lifting football's most coveted trophy for the first time in September.

This Year's Nominees

Here are the 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees!#ballondor pic.twitter.com/tehmbU4R0j

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) August 7, 2025

Luis Enrique's European Champions PSG predictably dominate the 30-man shortlist with nine nominations, breaking the record for a single team. If the odds are anything to go by, the award looks set to be headed to the Parc Des Princes in the hands of Ousmane Dembele (via Oddschecker).

Other players who will feel that they hold a strong claim to be lifting the trophy include Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, Liverpool's goal machine Mohamed Salah, and Dembele's PSG team-mate Vitinha, who was influential on both the domestic and international stage this season.

Now, let's take a deep dive into some of the more unexpected names on the list, and have they had Ballon d'Or-worthy seasons?

Serhou Guirassy - Borussia Dortmund

On the surface, Dortmund had an unremarkable season by their standards. The German side finished 4th in the Bundesliga and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Club World Cup. For Serhou Guirassy, however, the season will be reflected upon more fondly.

The Guinea striker was in red-hot form in front of goal, and while it may not have secured silverware in Dortmund, it did lead to impressive personal milestones. Guirassy finished as the top scorer in the Champions League, as well as the Club World Cup, and finished only behind Harry Kane in the Bundesliga top scorer ranks.

Name: Serhou Guirassy 🇬🇳
UCL: Top Scorer ✅
FIFA CWC: Top Scorer ✅
Ballon d'Or: Nominee ✅
Him: Yes ✅ pic.twitter.com/ZqyJG8lTZQ

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 7, 2025

He may not be a household name, but we feel that the 29-year-old is hugely deserving of this nomination. Until last season, Guirassy had been having an average career across France and Germany, until he scored 28 times in 28 games for Stuttgart and caught the attention of Dortmund, where the goals have continued to flow.

Serhou Guirassy - Borussia Dortmund 2024/25 (Transfermarkt)

Scott McTominay - Napoli

McTominay was often the subject of ridicule by sections of his own fanbase during his time at boyhood club, Manchester United. When it was deemed that he was surplus to requirements, a move to Napoli seemed like the kind of move that you would see on a Top 10 Most Surprising Transfers list.

The Scotsman's move to Naples has left many with their jaws agape. While Manchester United were seemingly in freefall, McTominay was taking the Serie A by storm.

In his debut season, McTominay lifted the Scudetto and was subsequently named the Serie A MVP. Naples has a storied history with club icons, and it seems that McTominay has already added his name to the esteemed list.

If you told someone three seasons ago that Scott McTominay was a Ballon d'Or nominee, they would have laughed in your face.

Scott McTominay since leaving Manchester United.. 😅

🏆 Serie A
🏆 Serie A Player of the Year
🏆 Ballon d'Or nomination
⚽️ 14 goals
🅰️ 4 assists pic.twitter.com/iIBvbzIkoq

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 8, 2025

Denzel Dumfries - Inter Milan

Everybody knows that Dumfries is a solid, dependable player who has been around for what seems like an age. Last season, he helped Inter Milan to a Champions League final and a 2nd place Serie A finish with his commanding performances at right wing back, contributing to 17 goals along the way.

This inclusion has created discourse online, with many people thinking that his performances against Barcelona in the latter stages of the Champions League have added an element of recency bias. Inter fans have suggested that both Alesandro Bastoni and Nicola Barrella are more deserving of a nomination.

Speaking of those who feel they are deserving of a nomination, let's look at some notable omissions from this year's shortlist.

Denzel Dumfries nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2025 game’s gone

— thomas (@FClMthomas) August 7, 2025

Denzel Dumfries - Inter Milan 2024/25 (Transfermarkt)

Notable Omissions

We have compiled a list of players who would have been expecting a call from their agent telling them that they are considered among the 30 best players of last season, but those calls never arrived.

Julian Alvarez

Starting with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, who enjoyed his most prolific goalscoring campaign to date in his debut season in Madrid. People will argue that he failed to lift any silverware, but as the shortlist shows, trophy-less players have been nominated, as have players who had less prolific seasons than the Argentine.

Vinicius Jr with 40 G/A last season: nominated for the Ballon d'Or. ✨✅

Julian Álvarez with 43 G/A last season: not nominated for the Ballon d'Or. ❌✨ pic.twitter.com/yNCRNe55zu

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 8, 2025

Bradley Barcola

Perhaps 10 PSG nominations would've been overkill. Still, Barcola can certainly count himself unlucky after enjoying the best season of his career and being a massive part of PSG's most successful season in their history.

Bradley Barcola is a superstar. 41 goal contributions in 64 games playing as the 4th man for PSG.

He would instantly become the best LW in the Premier League, and with increased game time, all of Europe. Get it done.

pic.twitter.com/qbZRjTjKtF

— CounterPressers (@CounterPressers) August 6, 2025

Omar Marmoush

Even though his January transfer to Manchester City has not seen him replicate the form from the first half of the season, the move has been anything but a flop. Marmoush finished the season as the 6th highest scorer and assist maker in the Bundesliga, despite only playing half a season for Frankfurt.

His return for Manchester City is also not to be sniffed at when all the factors are considered - with 45 goal contributions in 51 games, we feel the Egyptian winger has every right to feel aggrieved for his snub.

Omar Marmoush - Frankfurt / Manchester City 2024/25 (Transfermarkt)