Paris Saint-Germain forward, Ousmane Dembele, has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, edging out Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, to claim football’s most prestigious individual award.
The 28-year-old Frenchman received the honour on Monday night at a glittering ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Brazil legend, Ronaldinho, presented the trophy, drawing loud cheers from the packed audience.
Dembele’s triumph followed a stellar season in which he inspired PSG to a historic treble – clinching the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and UEFA Champions League. He also guided the French champions to the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, the winger scored 35 goals and registered 16 assists. His exploits earned him the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award as well as the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season accolade.
Since leaving Barcelona in 2023, Dembele has flourished under coach Luis Enrique, thriving in a more central attacking role. His resurgence has been hailed as one of football’s great comebacks, following years hampered by injuries and inconsistency.
Meanwhile, Spain and Barcelona midfielder, Aitana Bonmati, clinched the women’s Ballon d’Or for a record third consecutive year. The 27-year-old beat Arsenal duo Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo after standout performances at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 and the Women’s Champions League.
Despite Spain’s Euro 2025 final loss to England and Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to Arsenal, Bonmati’s brilliance shone through.
Other award winners on the night included England coach Sarina Wiegman, who received the Johan Cruyff Award after leading the Lionesses to a second successive European crown. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made history by claiming the inaugural Yashin Trophy for best women’s goalkeeper.
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal took home the Kopa Trophy for best young player. PSG were named Men’s Club of the Year, while Arsenal secured Women’s Club of the Year after dominating both domestically and in Europe.
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