Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, capping off a glittering season in which he inspired PSG to their first ever Champions League crown and a historic quadruple.
The 28-year-old Frenchman edged out Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and teammate Vitinha to claim football’s most prestigious individual award on Monday night in Paris. It marks his first Ballon d’Or and makes him the sixth Frenchman to achieve the honour, following in the footsteps of Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, and Raymond Kopa.
Dembélé’s numbers were emphatic: 35 goals and 16 assists across 53 appearances, underlining both his scoring prowess and creative influence. His Champions League displays, particularly decisive goals in the knockout rounds, sealed PSG’s long-awaited European glory.
Receiving the award from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, Dembélé dedicated the win to his teammates, coach Luis Enrique, and his family. “This is not just my trophy. It belongs to PSG, to France, and to everyone who believed in me,” he said in an emotional speech.
Top 10 Ballon d’Or 2025 Finishers
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Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) – Champions League & domestic treble winner, 35 goals, 16 assists.
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Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain) – Teenage sensation, shone for Barça and at Euro 2024.
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Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal) – Midfield metronome in PSG’s quadruple-winning season.
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Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt) – Consistently lethal, leading Liverpool’s attack in Europe and the Premier League.
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Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil) – Integral to Barça’s La Liga title challenge, standout wide performer.
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Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England) – Sparked Madrid’s domestic campaign, England’s Euro 2024 star.
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Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway) – Prolific scorer, though City fell short in Europe.
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Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid/Brazil) – Flamboyant winger with decisive goals in La Liga and Europe.
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Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England) – Record-breaking scoring feats in Bundesliga debut season.
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Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France) – Transitioned to Madrid, strong personal season but eclipsed by former PSG teammate Dembélé.
Dembélé’s triumph marks a turning point in world football. After years dominated by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and more recently Karim Benzema, the award signals the rise of a new generation of stars. At the same time, it underscores PSG’s arrival as a genuine European powerhouse, their long pursuit of continental success finally matched by individual recognition.
The spotlight on Lamine Yamal, runner-up at just 18 years old, also reflects a shifting era. Many analysts believe the young Spaniard could dominate the award in future years, but 2025 belonged to Dembélé — a talent once doubted for inconsistency, now standing on football’s highest pedestal.
