Paris, France: PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, capping off a record-breaking season in which he inspired Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph.
The 28-year-old French winger outshone rivals Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool to claim football’s most prestigious individual accolade.
His 2024/25 campaign delivered 35 goals and 16 assists, guiding PSG to a historic quadruple that included Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and the long-awaited Champions League trophy.
In Ligue 1, Dembélé plundered 21 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances, sharing the division’s top scorer award and earning a spot in the Team of the Year, but it was his performances in the Champions League that really boosted his push for the Ballon d’Or.
The France international played an integral role in PSG’s success, racking up eight goals and scoring against big opponents like Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
“Winning a Ballon d’Or when you’re a football player is obviously the Holy Grail individually,” Dembélé told France Football in June. “It’s something you dream about when you’re little.
“I remember back when it was on Téléfoot, when I saw the players appear to receive the Ballon d’Or, it was incredible. Just the object, the ball, it’s exceptional.”
The triumph on the night represents the pinnacle of Dembélé’s career, marking his evolution from a player once plagued by injuries to a global superstar now etched in football’s history books.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona clinched her third Ballon d’Or Féminin title, extending her dominance in the women’s game.
Full list of winners from the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards
- Kopa Trophy (Men, Best Player Under 21) – Lamine Yamal
- Kopa Trophy (Women, Best Player Under 21) – Vicky López
- Best Striker of the Year (Gerd Müller Award) – Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyökeres (joint winners)
- Yachine Trophy 2025 (Men) – Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Yachine Trophy 2025 (Women) – Hannah Hampton
- Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 – Ousmane Dembélé
- Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 – Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
- Women’s Coach of the Year – Sarina Wiegman
- Men’s Coach of the Year – Luis Enrique
- Men’s Club of the Year 2025 – Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s Club of the Year 2025 – Arsenal
The glittering gala in Paris celebrated a season defined by breathtaking performances, historical milestones, and new footballing icons. For Dembélé, the honor is a crowning moment in a career that has often been marred by injuries but has now reached its pinnacle.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
