The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on September 22, 2025, was a dazzling affair that celebrated football's elite and its cultural impact. The event brought together major figures from the world of football and entertainment, featuring significant award announcements, celebrity appearances, and discussions surrounding notable omissions and surprising interactions.

The night's most prestigious award, the men's Ballon d'Or, went to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. The 28-year-old was crowned the best footballer in the world, marking an incredible turnaround in his career after years of challenges at Barcelona. Dembele's triumph came after a stellar season where he scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists, leading PSG to a historic Treble under Luis Enrique, including their first Champions League trophy. Other significant awards included the Kopa Trophy for Spanish teen sensation Lamine Yamal, the Gerd Muller Trophy for Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres, and the Women's Coach of the Year award for England manager Sarina Wiegman.

Beyond the awards, the ceremony was also a stage for prominent personalities. German football icon Lothar Matthaus, 64, attended with his 26-year-old model girlfriend, Theresa Sommer. Matthaus, dressed in a sharp black suit, and Sommer, who captivated attention in a patterned dress with a gold Dolce & Gabbana bag, posed together on the red carpet. The couple reportedly started dating earlier this year, first seen together at an Austrian ski resort in April. Sommer, also from Germany, studied economics and management at King’s College in London and psychology at Durham University before pursuing a modeling career. Matthaus has a history of multiple marriages, having been wed five times previously, with his last divorce from Anastasia Klimko occurring in 2021.

Nigerian talent also made a significant mark at the event. Afrobeats superstar Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, known as Adekunle Gold or AG Baby, turned heads with his fashion choice, an outfit reportedly worth tens of millions of naira. His ensemble featured a custom Balenciaga black double-breasted tuxedo blazer and a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona wristwatch. Adekunle Gold mingled with football luminaries, including Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Mario Guardiola, daughter of Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, highlighting Afrobeats' growing global footprint in the football world, following Rema's performance at the 2023 ceremony.

In women's football, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie achieved a notable feat, finishing fourth in the Yacine Trophy power rankings for the best female goalkeeper in the world. This recognition followed her impressive performances at the 2025 Women's African Cup of Nations and for Paris FC, making her the first Super Falcons player nominated for the award. England’s Hannah Hampton ultimately claimed the Yacine Trophy. Additionally, Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu was nominated for the Johan Cruyff Award for best coach but lost to England's Sarina Wiegman, whose triumph in the Euros with England carried more weight.

However, the ceremony was not without controversy, particularly concerning the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, unveiled on August 7. Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was conspicuously absent, despite a remarkable campaign with Galatasaray where he scored 37 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. Several reasons were cited for his omission:

• Playing Outside Europe’s Top Five Leagues: Osimhen’s loan spell at Galatasaray in Turkey's Süper Lig, which is not among Europe’s top five, meant his achievements carried less influence compared to performances in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.

• Limited Exposure in European Competitions: Galatasaray's failure to progress deep into the Europa League limited Osimhen’s visibility in major European tournaments, unlike rivals who delivered headline-grabbing performances in the Champions League.

• Fierce Competition from Rivals: Many nominees combined strong domestic seasons with success in Europe’s biggest competitions, making Osimhen’s impressive scoring record seem less impactful when compared to peers delivering decisive moments on larger stages.

• Perceptions of Super Lig's Strength and Quality: The Süper Lig's lower ranking in UEFA’s league coefficient system led to a perception of weaker opposition, potentially devaluing even record-breaking statistics achieved there.

• Media Narrative and Global Visibility: Players shining in the Champions League or major international tournaments often dominate headlines and sway voters. Osimhen, despite his consistency, lacked those globally impactful