Three African stars make 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist

France Football has unveiled the 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with three African players included. Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah are among the nominees.

Liverpool winger Salah was instrumental in helping the Reds clinch their 20th Premier League title, scoring 29 league goals. He also netted five goals across the EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League. His stellar performances earned him another Ballon d’Or nomination, following a season that also saw him extend his Liverpool contract by two more years.

Guirassy played a key role in Borussia Dortmund’s run to the Champions League quarterfinals and helped the club secure qualification for next season’s competition in the final matchday. The 29-year-old striker scored 21 goals in the Bundesliga and 13 in the Champions League last season. He added four more goals in five matches at the FIFA Club World Cup. A few months ago, Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o publicly supported Guirassy’s inclusion in the Ballon d’Or list.

Champions League winner Hakimi enjoyed a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain. The Moroccan right-back won a treble under Spanish coach Luis Enrique. His tireless work down the right flank earned widespread praise, making his inclusion among the nominees no surprise.

The winner of the award will be announced on September 20, 2025. The last—and only—African to win the Ballon d’Or was Liberia’s George Weah in 1995, during his time at Italian giants AC Milan.