Dembélé's Historic Win
Ousmane Dembélé, the dynamic French forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has been named the recipient of the 2025 Ballon d'Or award. The prestigious ceremony, celebrating the best footballers of the 2024-2025 season, took place on September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. Dembélé's victory marks a significant milestone in his career and for French football.
An Exceptional Season for PSG and Dembélé
Dembélé's triumph is a direct result of an outstanding 2024-2025 campaign, where he played a pivotal role in PSG's historic achievements. He led the Parisian club to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, a feat that capped a remarkable season for the team. In addition to European glory, PSG also secured a domestic treble, winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, along with the UEFA Super Cup.
The 28-year-old forward's individual statistics underscore his impact, with an impressive haul of 37 goals and 15 assists across 53 official matches during the season. His performance in the Champions League was particularly noteworthy, contributing 14 goals (8 goals, 6 assists) in 15 appearances, earning him the title of UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.
Ceremony Highlights and Other Laureates
The 69th annual Ballon d'Or ceremony, co-organized by France Football and UEFA, saw Dembélé receive the coveted Golden Ball from former winner Ronaldinho. He edged out strong competition, with Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal finishing as the runner-up, and PSG teammate Vitinha securing third place.
Other significant awards presented during the evening included:
- Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona) winning the Women's Ballon d'Or for the third consecutive year.
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) receiving the Kopa Trophy for the best young player.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma winning the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper.
- Luis Enrique (PSG coach) being awarded the Johan Cruyff Trophy for Men's Coach.
- Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) claiming the Gerd Müller Trophy for top scorer.
A Career Resurgence
Dembélé's Ballon d'Or win marks a remarkable turnaround in his career, which had faced challenges in previous years. His resurgence at PSG, particularly after a tactical switch by coach Luis Enrique that saw him move into a central role, led to an 'explosion of 25 goals in 20 games' from December to March. He becomes the sixth Frenchman to win the prestigious award, joining an elite list of compatriots.
5 Comments
Coccinella
He definitely played a crucial role in PSG's historic treble, and his individual stats are undeniable. However, the 'explosion of 25 goals in 20 games' was a specific period, and consistency across the entire season for other contenders might have been overlooked.
Muchacho
Lamine Yamal was robbed. Dembélé had one good season after years of inconsistency.
Africa
Just another example of how the award prioritizes team trophies over individual brilliance.
Comandante
Still can't believe it. He's good, but Ballon d'Or good? Nah.
Muchacha
It's fantastic to see Dembélé overcome his past struggles and reach this peak, showcasing immense talent. Yet, the rapid rise of Lamine Yamal reminds us that there are other players performing at an incredibly high level who might also have strong claims.