Overcoming emotion and a challenge from Yamal, the winger’s treble-winning heroics earn him football’s most coveted individual prize.
In a night of high emotion at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé was crowned the king of world football, winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or after a spectacular season that saw his club achieve an historic treble.
The French forward, who was the driving force behind PSG’s charge to the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and UEFA Champions League titles, beat out Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for the award. The Parisian crowd erupted in cheers as Dembélé received the trophy from football legend Ronaldinho, a moment that left the 28-year-old almost speechless.
“I don’t have many words. Look, it’s not easy. It is one of the best things I have accomplished in my career,” Dembélé said, visibly moved on stage. “Winning this trophy from Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is amazing.”
He was quick to share the credit with his teammates and coaches at PSG, calling the club an “incredible family.” He reserved special praise for manager Luis Enrique, calling him “the most important [coach] of my career,” and thanked his teammates for supporting him “in the bad moments.” He insisted, “It is not an individual trophy, it is for us all.”
Dembélé’s award is a testament to a breathtaking individual campaign where he was the undeniable heartbeat of Luis Enrique’s team. He racked up 35 goals and 14 assists, terrorizing defenses both domestically and in Europe. His performances on the biggest stage were particularly decisive, scoring crucial goals against European giants like Liverpool and Arsenal before orchestrating a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Barcelona’s Yamal, widely considered Dembélé’s closest rival, had to settle for second place. The top five was rounded out by Dembélé’s PSG teammate Vitinha in third, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in fourth, and Barcelona’s Raphinha in fifth.
With this win, Dembélé becomes the sixth French player to claim the Ballon d’Or, pushing France ahead of Germany and Italy for the most different winners. He succeeds Manchester City’s Rodri and breaks the long-standing dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, signaling a new chapter for football’s highest individual honor.
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