PSG’s Dembélé beats Yamal to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or

Ousmane Dembélé wins the Ballon d’Or 2025, surpassing Lamine Yamal

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the 2025 Ballon d’Or, surpassing Barcelona’s young prospect Lamine Yamal, after an exceptional season that culminated in success in the Champions League. Dembélé, 28, scored 35 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions for PSG, a team that achieved a historic treble by winning Ligue 1 and the French Cup, as well as their first Champions League. The French team also reached the Club World Cup final in the summer, losing to Chelsea in the final held in the United States. The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the best player in the world for the season, and it is awarded by France Football. International journalists vote for the winner based on individual performance, team achievements, class, and fair play of the player.

“Thank you all. What has happened to me is incredible. I am speechless. It has been an incredible season with PSG. I have experienced incredible things and I am a little nervous; it’s not easy. Receiving this trophy, especially from Ronaldinho, is truly exceptional. I want to thank PSG for signing me in 2023. The president, the whole team and the club. They are a wonderful family. From day one, the president has treated me very well”.

Ousmane Dembélé

Dembélé, who succeeds Manchester City’s Rodri as the winner, was considered one of football’s greatest talents from his beginnings at Rennes and later at Borussia Dortmund. He became the sixth Frenchman to win the award, after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane and Karim Benzema.

“I would also like to thank all the PSG staff who have been fantastic. Luis Enrique, who is like a father to me. He has been very important for my career, although it is not over yet. Thanks to all my teammates. We have won almost everything. You have been by my side and together we have raised our level to achieve these team trophies. This is an individual award, but we all share this success as a team”.

Ousmane Dembélé

Barcelona paid more than 100 million euros to sign him in 2017, but despite spending six seasons at the Catalan club, he never managed to elevate his game to the next level. However, since joining PSG in 2023 for 50 million euros, he has established himself as one of the best players in the world under the direction of Luis Enrique.

Legend: PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé beat Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.The player also thanked all the clubs he has played for, including Stade Rennes, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, the club he always dreamed of playing for. “I learned a lot there, playing with players like Messi and Iniesta. It was a great learning experience. I am very happy. When I see the list of legends who have won this award… I worked hard for the team to win the Champions League, Ligue 1… winning this trophy is incredible. I am very happy.” Last season, following Kylian Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid, Dembélé took on an even more central role in the team, often playing in the center of the attack, and the results were spectacular. In addition to his 35 goals, he also recorded 16 assists as part of a PSG that made history by winning the treble. Dembélé’s main competition was Yamal, who helped Barça win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. Yamal, 18, also starred in some of his best moments and goals in the most important matches, including the Champions League semi-final defeat against Inter Milan and the Clásico against Real Madrid. Previously in Paris, Yamal also won the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 of the previous season, while Vicky López of Barcelona won the award for the best player under 21.

“I need to keep working to win more awards in the future,” said Yamal.

Lamine Yamal

Aitana Bonmatí, star of Barcelona and the Spanish national team, was awarded her third consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or, joining Michel Platini and Lionel Messi as the only three players in history to achieve a hat-trick. Additionally, Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres and Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor won the Gerd Müller Trophy for top scorer of the season, while Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton were named best goalkeepers in the world. Donnarumma received the award for his performances with PSG in the 2024-25 season and with Italy. Luis Enrique, PSG coach, and Sarina Wiegman, coach of the England women’s national team, received the Johan Cruyff trophies, awarded to the best coaches of the year.