Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati
By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
In a historic moment for global sport, the Ballon d’Or ceremony placed women’s football on equal footing with men’s for the first time. For decades, the annual gala has been seen as the pinnacle of recognition in world football. Still, this year’s edition made history by awarding women footballers in the same number of categories as their male counterparts.
The packed Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris erupted in applause as the announcement was made: six awards for men, and six for women. For the first time, women players not only competed for the prestigious Ballon d’Or Féminin, but were also recognised in categories long reserved for the men’s game. These include the Best Women’s Goalkeeper, the Best Young Women’s Player, and the Top Women’s Scorer, either at club or international level.
Organisers hailed the move as “a decisive step towards football’s true universality.” The decision follows years of calls from players, fans, and advocacy groups for stronger recognition of the women’s game, which has seen exponential growth in attendance, sponsorship, and global visibility.
“This is more than an award—it is recognition that our efforts, our goals, and our achievements are just as valuable, The women’s game has grown so far and we have broken records, I see this honour as a recognition of women’s games” said Sarina Wiegman who won the best women’s coach award as she accepted her trophy.
The changes ensure that the ceremony now honours women and men equally, with six awards apiece. The only cross-gender award remains the Socrates Prize, which celebrates humanitarian and solidarity-driven contributions off the pitch.
Commentators noted the symbolism of the moment. Just a decade ago, women’s football was often treated as a side event; today, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the men’s game on the sport’s grandest stage.
“This evening was not just about football, it was about fairness,” declared one FIFA official. “When young girls see that their heroes are celebrated the same way as men, it sends a powerful message about possibility.”
With the curtain falling on the 2025 edition of the Ballon d’Or, the night will be remembered not just for the winners, but for the equality it enshrined as a milestone in the ongoing transformation of world football.
