Three African stars have earned places on the 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual prize. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy have been recognised for their exceptional performances during the 2024/25 season.
Serhou Guirassy
Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy enjoyed a record-breaking debut campaign at Borussia Dortmund. He became the club’s top single-season scorer in UEFA Champions League history, netting 10 goals in Europe’s elite competition. In the Bundesliga, his exploits included a remarkable four-goal performance against Union Berlin, with his overall tally reaching 38 goals across all competitions. His finishing instincts and ability to deliver in big moments were key to Dortmund’s strong European run and domestic challenge.
Achraf Hakimi
Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi played an instrumental role in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic campaign. He scored in both the UEFA Champions League final and the Coupe de France final, helping PSG secure a rare double. Over the season, Hakimi contributed 11 goals and 16 assists—numbers that rival those of leading attackers—cementing his reputation as one of the best, if not the best, in his position worldwide.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah reaffirmed his world-class pedigree by spearheading the club’s march to the Premier League title. He topped both the scoring and assist charts, with 29 goals and 18 assists, amassing 47 goal involvements in total. His consistency and influence throughout the campaign further enhanced his legacy as one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever players.
The winner of the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or will be announced later this year, with the African trio competing against the sport’s biggest names for the coveted award.