Ousmane Dembélé Wins 2025 Ballon d'Or After Stellar Season with PSG
On September 22, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Ousmane Dembélé was awarded the 2025 Ballon d'Or, recognizing him as the world's best male football player. This honor follows a standout season where Dembélé played a pivotal role in PSG's historic first UEFA Champions League victory and a domestic treble.
Dembélé's journey to this pinnacle has been marked by resilience and transformation. Born on May 15, 1997, in Vernon, France, he began his professional career with Rennes in Ligue 1. His exceptional dribbling skills and pace quickly garnered attention, leading to a transfer to Borussia Dortmund in 2016. At Dortmund, Dembélé's performances earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award. In 2017, he secured a high-profile move to FC Barcelona for a fee exceeding €100 million. However, his tenure at Barcelona was marred by injuries and inconsistent form, limiting his impact. In 2023, Dembélé transferred to PSG for €50 million, where under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, he experienced a career resurgence.
Under Luis Enrique's management, PSG achieved unprecedented success during the 2024–25 season. The team clinched their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, defeating Inter Milan 5–0 in the final. Dembélé was instrumental in this victory, providing two assists in the decisive match. Additionally, PSG secured the Ligue 1 title, with Dembélé contributing 21 goals and 8 assists in 29 appearances, and won the French Cup, completing the domestic treble. Throughout the season, Dembélé amassed 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions.
Luis Enrique's decision to reposition Dembélé from a winger to a central attacking role proved transformative. This strategic shift allowed Dembélé to exploit his agility and finishing skills more effectively, leading to a significant increase in his goal tally. The coach's emphasis on professionalism and fitness also contributed to Dembélé's resurgence.
The 69th Ballon d'Or awards ceremony took place at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Dembélé received the award from football legend Ronaldinho. In his acceptance speech, Dembélé expressed gratitude to PSG, coach Luis Enrique, and his teammates, stating, "Winning a Ballon d’Or when you’re a football player is obviously the Holy Grail individually. It’s something you dream about when you’re little."
The top ten rankings for the Men's Ballon d'Or were as follows:
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Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
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Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
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Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
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Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
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Raphinha (Brazil, Barcelona)
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Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
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Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
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Cole Palmer (England, Chelsea)
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Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain)
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Nuno Mendes (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
The ceremony also honored other football talents. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona) secured her third consecutive Women's Ballon d'Or. Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona) won the Men's Kopa Trophy for Best Young Player, while Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain) received the Men's Yashin Trophy for Best Goalkeeper. Luis Enrique (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain) was named Men's Coach of the Year, and Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden, Sporting CP/Arsenal) received the Men's Gerd Müller Trophy for Top Scorer.
Dembélé's journey from early career challenges to Ballon d'Or winner serves as an inspiring narrative of resilience and personal growth. His success highlights the importance of adaptability and perseverance in professional sports. Additionally, PSG's achievements underscore the club's strategic investments and the growing competitiveness of Ligue 1 on the European stage.
Reflecting on Dembélé's transformation and PSG's historic season, it becomes evident that the synergy between individual talent and strategic team management can lead to remarkable success. As Dembélé continues to build on this achievement, the football world eagerly anticipates his future contributions to the sport.
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