New rule for the 2025 Ballon d’Or

Rodri/@ESPN

Unlike previous years, the winner of the 2025 edition of the Ballon d’Or will only be revealed on the evening of September 22, during the opening of the envelope containing the name of the lucky recipient.

Even the player who will win the trophy—and their club—will not be notified in advance, according to a decision made by France Football to combat leaks and maintain total suspense until the ceremony.

This decision was made by the editorial director of France Football, Vincent Garcia, who stated: “Who won the Ballon d’Or? I will keep it a secret, even if it means falling out with some people. I will keep the secret until the very last moment.”

As a result of this bold move, there will be no pre-recorded interviews or early photo shoots with the winner or their entourage.

This choice is far from insignificant, as it also aims to prevent boycotts of the ceremony, like last season when Real Madrid did not attend after Rodri was chosen over Vinicius Junior. The Merengues, in fact, are set to continue their boycott for the second consecutive year.