By: Ben TC Brooks| River Gee County Contributing Reporter
Paris, France – Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 – Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, claiming the prestigious honor for the first time in his career after a spectacular season that saw him fire PSG to an unprecedented treble.
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by French magazine France Football since 1956 to honour players and coaches deemed to have performed the best over the previous season.
The 28-year-old French international enjoyed his most prolific season yet, scoring 35 goals and registering 14 assists in 53 appearances for PSG as the club clinched Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and their long-awaited maiden Champions League title.
Dembélé’s performances also earned him the Ligue 1 Golden Boot, Ligue 1 Player of the Year, and Champions League Player of the Season accolades.
Although sidelined with injury on the night of the ceremony, Dembélé traveled to Paris to accept the award. Fighting back tears as he stood on stage, he reflected on a career revival that few could have predicted just two years ago.
“This moment means everything to me,” Dembélé said emotionally. “I’ve faced many setbacks in my career, but tonight show that with hard work and the right support, dreams do come true.”
Career Revival and Tactical Transformation
Once regarded as one of football’s most mercurial talents, Dembélé struggled with inconsistency and injuries during his spell at Barcelona, where he was signed for a staggering £96.8 million, potentially rising to £135.5m in 2017. Yet, it was PSG who truly unlocked his potential after acquiring him for just £43.5 million in 2023.
The turning point came in December 2024, when PSG manager Luis Enrique, who himself was crowned Coach of the Year, shifted Dembélé from his traditional right-wing position into a central-begotten striking role against Lyon.
At that time, he had only five goals to his name. From that moment on, he exploded with form, scoring 30 more goals across all competitions.
His stellar run also extended to the international stage, where he scored two goals in seven appearances for France during the 2024/25 campaign.
Dembélé is now the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or, and only the second in the 21st century after Karim Benzema in 2022.
Yamal Shines, Bonmatí Makes History
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal of Barcelona finished runner-up in the men’s category but consoled himself by winning the Kopa Trophy for the best young player.
At 18 years old, Yamal has already established himself as one of the brightest prospects in world football.
In the women’s category, Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatí etched her name further into football history by winning the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the third consecutive year.
Her consistent brilliance with Barcelona Femení and Spain has firmly cemented her legacy as one of the greatest players of her generation.
Other Major Winners
Mary Earps Hampton of England and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy were named Goalkeepers of the Year.
Luis Enrique of PSG and Sarina Wiegman of England claimed the Coach of the Year honors in their respective categories.
Arsenal Women were crowned Women’s Club of the Year, while Paris Saint-Germain received the Men’s Club of the Year trophy, highlighting their dominance on the world stage.
Five members of England’s Lionesses featured in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or Féminin, underlining their continued rise in international football.
A Defining Moment for Dembélé
For a player who had not hit double digits in a league season since his teenage days at Rennes, Dembélé renaissance is nothing short of remarkable.
His Ballon d’Or triumph not only recognizes his individual brilliance but also symbolizes the success of PSG’s long-term project to finally conquer Europe.
With the achievement, Ousmane Dembélé has joined the pantheon of football’s elite writing a new chapter in the history of French football.
