The official shortlist for the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or will be revealed on August 7, but early leaks have already begun to surface — and one unexpected name is generating serious buzz.

Scott McTominay is reportedly set to make his debut appearance on the Ballon d’Or nominee list. The 28-year-old midfielder enjoyed a sensational season after his move to Napoli, where he emerged as a true leader and played a pivotal role in guiding the club to the Serie A title.

In what was arguably the best season of his career, McTominay made 48 appearances across all competitions and scored an impressive 16 goals — an extraordinary return for a box-to-box midfielder.

The favourites for the award remain the headline-makers: Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, and Raphinha are expected to lead the race following their standout seasons at both club and international level.