The 2025 Ballon d’Or is shaping up as one of the most historic editions in recent memory. This year, African talent is not merely represented, it is commanding the spotlight across all categories. From the men’s field to the women’s game and coaching recognition, African players and leaders have turned exceptional individual performances into tangible achievements, winning trophies, breaking records, and redefining global football narratives. 

Serhou Guirassy – The Champions League Maestro

Serhou Guirassy’s first season with Borussia Dortmund will be remembered as a historic campaign not just for the club, but for African football. The Guinean forward exploded into form immediately after his €18 million move in 2024, finishing the season with an astonishing 38 goals across all competitions, including 21 in the Bundesliga. While domestic form was prolific, it was in the UEFA Champions League where Guirassy truly etched his name into history. He scored 13 goals in 14 appearances, finishing as top scorer in the competition, a remarkable feat for an African player. 

His tally included a record-setting hat-trick against Barcelona in the quarter-finals, making him the first African to achieve such a milestone at this stage of the tournament. Each goal showcased a lethal variety of finishes: right foot, left foot, headers, and even unconventional strikes demonstrating his adaptability and predatory instinct in the box. Beyond individual glory, Guirassy’s performances carried Dortmund to secure a Champions League spot at the season’s end, delivering a campaign defined by consistency, timing, and an extraordinary eye for goal.

Achraf Hakimi – Redefining the Modern Full-Back

At Paris Saint-Germain, Achraf Hakimi’s 2024–25 season was nothing short of transformative. The Moroccan right-back was pivotal in PSG’s historic treble-winning campaign, comprising Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Hakimi’s attacking contributions were as impressive as his defensive reliability. He scored 11 goals and provided 16 assists, a remarkable tally for a player in his position, and even opened the scoring in the Champions League final, helping secure European glory. 

His versatility, tactical intelligence, and relentless energy turned him into one of the most complete full-backs in world football. Hakimi’s ability to dictate play, join attacks seamlessly, and maintain defensive discipline exemplified the modern standard for defenders, while also underlining the impact African players have at the highest levels of club football.

Mohamed Salah – The Eternal Goal Machine

Even as the years pass, Mohamed Salah’s impact at Liverpool remains undiminished. During the 2024–25 season, the Egyptian captain delivered 29 Premier League goals and 18 assists, a staggering 47 goal contributions, leading Liverpool to reclaim the league title. Salah’s brilliance was not limited to statistics; his presence on the field shaped every crucial moment, whether in decisive finishes, intelligent positioning, or moments of individual genius that broke defenses apart. 

At 33, Salah continues to defy age and expectation, combining experience, composure, and explosive speed in ways that make him indispensable to Liverpool’s attack. His Ballon d’Or nomination is a testament to both enduring excellence and his capacity to perform at the highest level consistently, season after season.

Barbra Banda – Orlando Pride’s Powerhouse

Barbra Banda’s 2024–25 campaign in the NWSL was a season of dominance and history-making. Leading Orlando Pride, Banda scored 17 goals in 23 appearances, guiding the club to its first-ever NWSL Shield and Championship. Her performance in the final, including a decisive strike that secured the title against Washington Spirit, earned her the Championship MVP award. 

Beyond club success, Banda has already been recognised internationally, securing accolades such as the CAF Women’s Player of the Year, BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, and inclusion in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11. Her speed, clinical finishing, and ability to perform under pressure have made her one of Africa’s most compelling forwards, elevating both her club and national team to new heights and demonstrating that African women are a force on the global stage.

Temwa Chawinga – Malawi’s Rising Goal Threat

Temwa Chawinga, hailing from Malawi, has also made her mark during the 2024–25 season. At club level, her relentless goal-scoring and creativity turned her into one of the NWSL’s most dangerous forwards. She finished the season with 20 goals and six assists, earning recognition as a top contender for league MVP and solidifying her reputation as a prolific scorer. For her national team, Chawinga has consistently been a game-changer, demonstrating pace, precision, and composure in front of goal. Her Ballon d’Or nomination signals the rising prominence of African talent in women’s football, reflecting not only her personal achievements but also the growing global impact of players from the continent.

Chiamaka Nnadozie – The Wall for Nigeria

Between the posts, Chiamaka Nnadozie has established herself as one of the world’s elite goalkeepers. She played a crucial role in Nigeria’s victorious 2024 WAFCON campaign, conceding only two goals in open play and keeping multiple clean sheets throughout the tournament, ultimately being named Best Goalkeeper. Her heroics extended to club football, where she guided Paris FC to the Coupe de France title, producing critical saves in high-pressure moments, including decisive penalty shootouts. Already recognised as CAF Women’s Best Goalkeeper, Nnadozie’s blend of agility, composure, and leadership makes her a standout nominee for the Women’s Yashin Trophy and a central figure in Africa’s footballing rise.

Justine Madugu – Mastering WAFCON from the Dugout

In coaching, Justine Madugu has shown Africa’s tactical prowess is on the rise. Leading Nigeria’s Super Falcons, he secured their record-extending 10th WAFCON title, blending veteran leadership with emerging talent to deliver one of the most dominant campaigns in tournament history. Madugu’s strategic acumen earned him Coach of the Tournament honors, and he has been shortlisted for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year (Johan Cruyff Trophy) at the Ballon d’Or. His vision, leadership, and ability to galvanize a team under pressure exemplify the caliber of African coaching talent emerging on the global stage.

This year, Africa’s footprint on the Ballon d’Or stage is profound. Guirassy’s Champions League exploits, Hakimi’s treble-winning campaign, Salah’s enduring dominance, Banda’s historic NWSL triumph, Chawinga’s goal-scoring feats, Nnadozie’s goalkeeping mastery, and Madugu’s tactical genius all demonstrate that African football is no longer peripheral, it is central.

When the world gathers in Paris, these players and coaches will not only compete for individual honors they will carry the continent’s story of excellence, resilience, and ambition into football history. In 2025, Africa isn’t waiting to be seen; it is claiming its rightful place at the pinnacle of the game.

2025 Ballon d’Or Nominees (Africans Reference)

Men’s Ballon d’Or: Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah.
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Barbra Banda, Temwa Chawinga.
Women’s Yashin Trophy: Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Women’s Team Coach (Cruyff): Justine Madugu.