Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justine Madugu have earned prestigious nominations for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, following Nigeria’s record-breaking victory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Nnadozie, now with Brighton, is one of five contenders for the Women’s Yachine Trophy, joining Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany/Gotham FC), Cata Coll (FC Barcelona), Hannah Hampton (England/Chelsea), and Daphne Van Domselaar (Arsenal). The former Paris FC shot-stopper delivered a standout performance in the July 26 final in Rabat, where Nigeria fought back to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 and secure their 10th continental crown. Her heroics earned her the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
Madugu, the architect of the Super Falcons’ triumph, is nominated for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year Trophy. Others on the shortlist include Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea), Arthur Elias (Brazil women’s national team), Renée Slegers (Arsenal), and Sarina Wiegman (England).
In the men’s category, the 30-man shortlist is dominated by Paris Saint-Germain stars after their Champions League success. Ousmane Dembélé leads the club’s contingent, alongside Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, Fabián Ruiz, and João Neves.
Barcelona’s 18-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal, who could become the youngest-ever winner and break Ronaldo’s long-standing record, is also in contention with teammates Raphinha, Pedri, and Robert Lewandowski.
Full 30-Man Shortlist:
Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), João Neves (PSG), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Raphinha (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen/Liverpool), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting/Arsenal), Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund).
The Kopa Trophy nominees for the best players under 21 feature Lamine Yamal, Désiré Doué, Pau Cubarsí, João Neves, Estêvão (Palmeiras/Chelsea), Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth/Real Madrid), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Rodrigo Mora (Porto), and Ayooub Bouaddi (Lille).
The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony is set for September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where the world’s best footballers will be crowned.
