French forward Ousmane Dembélé has been crowned the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, recognising him as the best male footballer of the 2024‑25 season. Dembélé’s performances for Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG) were pivotal in the club securing its first UEFA Champions League title, as well as domestic successes in Ligue 1 and the French Cup.
The 28-year-old beat Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal and PSG teammate Vitinha to claim the prestigious award. During the season, Dembélé scored 37 goals and provided 15 assists across all competitions, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most influential attackers. Analysts highlighted his transformation under PSG coach Luis Enrique, who deployed him in a more central attacking role, allowing him to maximise his goal-scoring abilities.
At the Ballon d’Or ceremony held on 22 September 2025 at Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet, Dembélé expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, and the PSG organization. “This award is not just about me; it’s about the collective effort of the team. I could not have achieved this without their support,” he said.
The ceremony also celebrated other football stars. Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third consecutive year. Spain’s Lamine Yamal received the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, Gianluigi Donnarumma won the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, and Viktor Gyökeres earned the Gerd Müller Trophy.
Dembélé becomes the sixth French player to win the Men’s Ballon d’Or, joining football legends such as Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, and Raymond Kopa. His achievement follows Benzema’s win in 2022 and marks a high point in Dembélé’s career, reflecting both personal growth and his importance to PSG’s recent successes.
Experts note that Dembélé’s win highlights more than just statistical output; it recognises leadership, consistency, and performance in crucial moments. His journey from earlier career struggles to European and domestic glory underlines a story of resilience and perseverance.
Fans and analysts alike have hailed his award as a symbol of PSG’s growing influence in European football, as well as a personal triumph for Dembélé, whose exceptional contributions played a central role in a season that will be remembered in club and French football history.
IMAGE:SKYSPORTS
