Dembele Edges Out Yamal to Win the 2025 Ballon d’Or

When Ronaldinho announced Ousmane Dembele’s name, the Théâtre du Châtelet erupted. Chants of “Ousmane, Ballon d’Or!” rolled around the venue, fueled by the large contingent of PSG supporters. Wearing a simple suit with an open-collar white shirt—more effortless than tuxedoed peers—Dembele smiled in relief, hugged Gianluigi Donnarumma, Lamine Yamal, Désiré Doué, and João Neves, then climbed the stage. He kissed the trophy and flashed a confident thumbs-up to the crowd.

Former midfielder Ruud Gullit takes a selfie with the male Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and female winner Aitana Bonmati, during the gala at the Chatelet theatre in Paris, France on the evening of September 22, 2025. Photo: Reuters

 

“Winning the Ballon d’Or has never been my goal,” Dembele said once the cheers subsided. “But lifting it is truly a special experience. I want to thank PSG for believing in me since 2023. This is my big family, with President Al Khelaifi and coach Luis Enrique like fathers to me.”

In his speech, Dembele also thanked Rennes, Dortmund, and Barcelona—the stops that shaped his career. Once Europe’s standout young talent at Dortmund, his trajectory dipped at Barcelona due to persistent injuries. He didn’t even have a guaranteed starting spot at PSG in 2023–2024. But in 2024–2025, the 28-year-old reinvented himself: 33 goals and 13 assists, driving PSG’s domestic and European treble—Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League. In the first 20 matches of this year alone, he scored 24 goals.

Dembele becomes the second PSG player to win the Ballon d’Or, after Lionel Messi in 2021. Messi’s win owed much to performances with Barcelona; Dembele’s rests squarely on his achievements for PSG—particularly the Champions League triumph. PSG fans reveled accordingly, even setting off fireworks outside the Théâtre du Châtelet.

The evening of September 22 was a broader triumph for PSG as well. President Nasser Al Khelaifi accepted the Men’s Team of the Year award with pride. “This is a collective reward,” he said. “Football is never easy, but when we play together, winning follows.”

Luis Enrique, widely seen as the “architect” of PSG’s success, took home Best Men’s Coach (Johan Cruyff Award) after molding a balanced, cohesive side and elevating Dembele into its focal point.

PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi received the Team of the Year award. Photo: Reuters

Awards – Full List

Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)

Men’s Silver & Bronze Balls: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Vitinha (PSG)
Women’s Silver & Bronze Balls: Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

Men’s Team of the Year: PSG
Women’s Team of the Year: Arsenal

Best Men’s Coach (Johan Cruyff Award): Luis Enrique (PSG)
Best Women’s Coach (Johan Cruyff Award): Sarina Wiegman (England)

Best Young Player (Kopa Trophy): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Best Goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy): Gianluigi Donnarumma (Men, PSG); Hannah Hampton (Women, Chelsea)

Top Goal-Scorer (Gerd Müller Award): Viktor Gyokeres (Men, Sporting CP); Ewa Pajor (Women, Barcelona)

Socrates Award: Xana Foundation, founded by the family of coach Luis Enrique