Scottish football has been given a major boost as midfielder Scott McTominay has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Ballon d'Or award. The accolade places him among the elite of world football, with the winner set to be announced on 22 September.
McTominay, who made the move from Manchester United to Napoli last year in a £25 million transfer, has emerged as a key figure in Serie A. The 28-year-old's stellar performance last season earned him the title of Serie A's Most Valuable Player, and his nomination for the Ballon d'Or further underscores his impact on the international stage. His inclusion on the shortlist is particularly significant, as he becomes the first Scottish player to be nominated since Ally McCoist in 1987.
McTominay's success with Napoli was instrumental in the club's championship-winning campaign. He scored 12 goals in 34 league appearances, demonstrating his versatility and leadership on the field. His performance not only earned him individual accolades but also helped transform Napoli into a formidable force in Italian football.
The Ballon d'Or nominations are a testament to McTominay's transformative season, as he joined a formidable list of nominees. Among the leading contenders is Ousmane Dembele of Paris St-Germain, who recently helped the club secure Champions League glory under the guidance of Luis Enrique. Dembele's inclusion reflects his standout performances both domestically and in Europe.
In Spain, Barcelona has two potential heavyweights in the race: 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who were central to the club's La Liga victory. The duo's youthful energy and talent have garnered significant attention from the footballing community.
Manchester City, despite missing out on several key players due to injuries, is still represented by Erling Haaland, who is vying for the award. Arsenal's Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres have also been recognized for their contributions, while Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, and Mohamed Salah are on the list, reflecting the club's continued global appeal.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's Cole Palmer is the lone representative from the Premier League outside of McTominay, highlighting the intense competition for recognition in England's top flight.
The full list of nominees includes:
- Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St-Germain)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Desire Doue (Paris St-Germain)
- Denzel Dumfries (Inter)
- Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris St-Germain)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
- Scott McTominay (Napoli)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain)
- João Neves (Paris St-Germain)
- Pedri (Barcelona)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
- Vitinha (Paris St-Germain)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Alongside the Ballon d'Or nominations, other prestigious awards have been announced. Barcelona, Botafogo, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Paris St-Germain are among the nominees for the Men's Club of the Year award. The Johan Cruyff Trophy, honoring the best male coach of the year, has seen nominations for Antonio Conte (Napoli), Luis Enrique (PSG), Hansi Flick (Barcelona), Enzo Maresca (Chelsea), and Arne Slot (Liverpool).
The Men's Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper of the year, features names like Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa and Argentina), Alisson Becker (Liverpool and Brazil), Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal and Morocco), Lucas Chevalier (Lille and France), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid and Belgium), Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG and Italy), Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid and Slovenia), David Raya (Arsenal and Spain), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest and Belgium), and Yann Sommer (Inter Milan and Switzerland).
The Kopa Trophy, recognizing the best player under 21, has seen nominations for young stars such as Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona and Spain), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille and France), Desire Doue (PSG and France), Estevao (Chelsea and Brazil), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid and Spain), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal and England), Rodrigo Mora (Porto and Portugal), João Neves (PSG and Portugal), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain), and Kenan Yildiz (Juventus and Turkey).
The Ballon d'Or nominations have sparked a global conversation about the current state of football, with fans and pundits alike discussing the merits of each nominee. McTominay's nomination, in particular, has reignited discussions about the rising influence of Scottish players on the world stage.
As the award ceremony approaches, all eyes will be on the nominees as they continue to showcase their talents in the upcoming season. McTominay's inclusion in the Ballon d'Or shortlist not only marks a significant milestone for Scottish football but also highlights the depth of talent that continues to emerge from across Europe.
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