Paris Saint-Germain’s winger Ousmane Dembele clinched the Ballon d’Or on Monday, celebrating his pivotal role in the club’s Champions League success last season. Meanwhile, Spain’s Aitana Bonmati secured the women’s award for the third consecutive year.
At 28, Dembele outshined Barcelona’s prodigy Lamine Yamal, succeeding Manchester City and Spain’s midfielder Rodri, the 2024 recipient of football’s most prestigious individual honor—long dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Formerly with Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, Dembele, part of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team, netted 35 goals across all competitions, aiding PSG in achieving a French league and cup double, along with the Champions League victory.
Following Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid, Dembele transitioned to center-forward, leading PSG to a 5-0 triumph over Inter Milan in Munich, marking the club’s first European Cup win.
“Words can’t express it. It was an astounding season with PSG,” an emotional Dembele expressed at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
He praised his coach Luis Enrique—awarded club coach of the year—as “like a father” to him.
“Though it’s an individual accolade, it was truly a team effort,” Dembele emphasized, being among nine PSG players nominated for the award.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or wasn’t my career goal; I strived for the Champions League for the team,” he added.
The 18-year-old Yamal, Dembele’s former Barcelona teammate, claimed the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player for the second consecutive year.
Dembele attended the ceremony to accept his award while his PSG teammates faced a 1-0 defeat in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille, rescheduled due to adverse weather in southern France.
Three in a Row
Barcelona and Spain’s midfielder Bonmati edged out international teammate Mariona Caldentey to win the women’s title, despite their shared defeat by England in the Women’s Euro 2025 final on penalties.
FC Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati poses after winning the women’s Ballon d’Or award.
Bonmati, 27, also faced defeat in the Women’s Champions League final with Barcelona against Caldentey’s Arsenal.
Despite missing the start of the Euros due to viral meningitis, Bonmati was named player of the tournament.
“I am extremely proud,” stated Bonmati, acknowledging her teammates’ contributions to her success.
“My three consecutive wins are thanks to the teams I play for,” she noted.
England’s Alessia Russo, part of the victorious European Championship team and Arsenal, secured third place.
Bonmati’s achievement follows the successive victories of her Barcelona and Spain counterpart Alexia Putellas.
Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and USA’s Megan Rapinoe are the only other recipients of the Women’s Ballon d’Or since its inception in 2018.
The Ballon d’Or is determined by a panel of journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s rankings and the top 50 for women.
Barcelona’s Vicky Lopez, 19, was honored as the best young women’s player.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who shone with PSG last season before joining Manchester City, won the Yashin trophy for best goalkeeper.
England’s Euro champion Hannah Hampton received the best women’s goalkeeper award, while international manager Sarina Wiegman was named best women’s coach.
