Ballon d’Or
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Arsenal stars Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice have both been named among the 30 nominees for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, underlining their stellar form and the club’s growing prominence on the global stage.
The prestigious shortlist, revealed on Thursday, recognises the outstanding contributions of the duo during the 2024/25 season, a campaign that saw both players rise to new heights and Arsenal re-emerge as a major force in European football.
Gyokeres, 27, earned his maiden Ballon d’Or nomination after a record-breaking season with Sporting CP, where he netted 54 goals and registered 13 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions. His heroics led Sporting to a domestic double and made him the top scorer in the UEFA Nations League for Sweden.
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Among his standout moments was a hat-trick in Sporting’s 4-1 Champions League triumph over Manchester City, a performance that paved the way for his £64 million move to Arsenal in July. The Swedish striker has hit the ground running at the Emirates, instantly endearing himself to fans with his lethal finishing and tireless energy.
Declan Rice et Viktor Gyökeres sont nominés pour le Ballon d’Or 2025 🌕 pic.twitter.com/0DqLOIMGTT
— Arsenal FR (@Arsenal_FRA) August 7, 2025
Joining him on the prestigious list is 26-year-old Declan Rice, who earns his second consecutive Ballon d’Or nomination. The England international was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season after a transformative campaign in midfield. Rice contributed nine goals and 10 assists in 52 matches, thriving in a more advanced role under Mikel Arteta.
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His memorable brace of free-kicks in a Champions League tie against Real Madrid at the Emirates remains a defining moment of Arsenal’s European run. Rice also featured in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season and was shortlisted for both the Premier League and PFA Player of the Year awards.
Gyokeres and Rice join an elite cast of nominees including PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. In a surprise inclusion, Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay also made the list, becoming the first Scottish player nominated since 1987.
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