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The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on Monday, September 22, at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, beginning at 8pm local time (7pm UK time). The 69th edition of football's most prestigious awards will crown the best players over the past 12 months.
Scotland makes history with Scott McTominay (Napoli) and Caroline Weir (Real Madrid) both nominated for the men's and women's awards respectively. They represent the first Scottish nominees since 1987, marking a significant milestone for Scottish football on the global stage.
The awards ceremony was invented by France Football sports writers Gabriel Hanot and Jacques Ferran in 1956. The event has grown to become one of the most highly-anticipated awards on the sporting calendar.
Trophy craftsmanship and heritage
The iconic Ballon d'Or trophy is manufactured exclusively by Mellerio dits Meller, a historic French jewellery house founded in 1613. The company has crafted the trophy since the award's inaugural ceremony in 1956, maintaining an exclusive partnership with France Football.
The trophy is made from gold-plated metal, crafted from a brass or bronze base and coated with a layer of gold. Designed to resemble a football, it features intricate engraved patterns that mimic the appearance of a traditional ball.
The manufacturing process requires approximately 100 hours of meticulous work over six months. The handcrafting includes shaping, engraving, and gold plating, with Mellerio consistently delivering a design that reflects the award's prestige.
Attendance and prize structure
Scotland hero Scott McTominay faces a scheduling conflict that prevents his attendance at the ceremony. His club Napoli has a league match at home against Pisa on the same evening, meaning he cannot be present for the historic nomination.
McTominay earned his first-ever nomination after an outstanding debut season in Serie A. He helped claim the Scudetto title and was named the league's most valuable player.
Winners receive no official prize money directly from the ceremony organisers. However, they do receive lifetime invitations to future ceremonies as part of the award's additional benefits.
Contract bonuses and endorsements
Many players negotiate 'Ballon d'Or clauses' into their contracts, securing significant bonuses if they win the award. These contractual arrangements can result in substantial financial rewards beyond the trophy itself.
Notable examples include Luka Modric earning a reported €800,000 from Nike in 2018 for his Ballon d'Or victory. Vinícius Júnior was reportedly set to receive €1million from Real Madrid in 2024 before being pipped by Manchester City's Rodri.
In 2022, Bayern Munich reportedly considered offering Ousmane Dembélé a potential 'Ballon d'Or' bonus during contract talks. This demonstrates how clubs use such clauses to entice top players, though the specific offer was never fully confirmed.
Sources used: "France Football" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
