Ousmane Dembélé Crowned 2025 Ballon d’Or Winner

French forward, Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the 2025 Ballon d’Or, capping off a spectacular season with Paris Saint-Germain and marking a defining moment in his career.

The ceremony, held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday night, saw the 28-year-old beat Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal and PSG teammate Vitinha to claim the prestigious prize.

Dembélé’s triumph comes after a stellar 2024/25 campaign in which he was instrumental in PSG’s historic trophy haul.

He notched up 35 goals and over 15 assists across all competitions, with decisive performances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and most memorably, the UEFA Champions League, which PSG lifted for the first time in several years.

“Incredible, I have no words,” Dembélé said emotionally as he accepted the award. “It’s been an amazing season with PSG. I want to dedicate this to my teammates, my coaches, my family, and especially my mother who has always been my biggest supporter.”

The victory marks Dembélé’s first Ballon d’Or, making him the sixth Frenchman in history to win the accolade, joining the ranks of legends like Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.

The recognition is also symbolic of his personal journey.

Once plagued by injuries and inconsistency at Barcelona, Dembélé’s move to PSG in 2023 revived his career, with the winger finally delivering on the promise that had long surrounded his name.

Analysts credit his improved fitness, confidence, and tactical discipline as key factors behind his rise.

Runner-up Lamine Yamal, just 18 years old, accepted his second-place finish with grace, while also picking up the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best under-21 player. Many pundits believe Yamal’s time at the pinnacle will come soon, but for now, the spotlight belongs to Dembélé.

Fans around the world have hailed the award as a fitting reward for a player whose talent has often been overshadowed by setbacks.

French media celebrated his win as “the redemption of a prodigy,” while PSG supporters flooded social media with tributes to their star.

With this award, Dembélé not only joins an elite list of Ballon d’Or winners but also secures his place as one of the defining figures of his football generation.