Fabien Barthez, TIME's Person of the Year 2025?

  • By Elizabeth Sy
  • Paris
  • Last updated on

former French National Team goalkeeper among finalists for TIME’s 2025 Person of the Year?

According to a well-placed source, former French National Team goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2025. But while the footballer's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.

UPDATE 25/05/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Why not Barthez for Person of the Year?

The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 53-year-old footballer, as a 2025 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.

“What makes Barthez so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the footballer have already been named ‘French Of The Year’ by some major French newspapers and even ‘Lavelanet Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Lavelanet (Fabien Barthez's hometown).

Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year

A representative for the footballer was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:

“#BarthezPOY. Logical choice though I wouldn't have made the same one.”
— @TomMiller, 24 May 2025
“Congrats! Fabien has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 24 May 2025
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Fabien Barthez?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 24 May 2025

Could 2025 officially be the Year of Fabien Barthez?

Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2025 Person of the Year.

Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2025?

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