Ousmane Dembele has been crowned with the Ballon d’Or for 2025 after a stellar 2024-25 season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Dembele was at the heart of everything brilliant with club as they lifted the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Champions League titles last term to become the first-ever French team to win a continental Treble. They also won the Trophee des Champions and finished runners-up at the Club World Cup.
During that historic campaign, Dembele’s numbers spoke for themselves – with the forward scoring 37 goals in 59 games in all competitions, alongside 14 assists.
His individual feats saw him crowned Ligue 1 Player of the Season, collect the Ligue 1 Golden Boot as well as named as the Champions League Player of the Season.
Dembele’s momentum has carried on into this season with the France international having helped PSG win the UEFA Super Cup last month.
Ousmane Dembele gracious after winning Ballon d’Or
‘What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG,’ said an emotional Dembele, whose mother joined him on the stage.
‘I feel a bit of stress, it’s not easy to win this trophy, and to have it presented to me by Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is exceptional.
‘I want to thank PSG who came to get me in 2023. It’s an incredible family. The president Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] is like a father to me. I also want to thank all the staff and the coach, who have been exceptional with me – he too is like a father – and all my team-mates.
‘We have practically won everything together. You supported me in the good and the difficult times. This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively.’
Ousmane Dembele beats Lamine Yamal to Ballon d’Or
Lamine Yamal, 18, finished second – and also won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player.
Five of the top 10 players were part of the PSG team last season including Vitinha (third), Achraf Hakimi (sixth), Gianluigi Donnarumma (ninth) and Nuno Mendes (10th).
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was fourth and Chelsea and England’s Cole Palmer finished eighth.
Last year’s winner, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, did not make the shortlist this time after an injury-hit campaign.
Aitana Bonmati wins the women’s Ballon d’Or
In the women’s section, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati has made history by becoming the first player to win the Ballon d’Or three times – also winning it in 2023 and 2024.
Upon collecting the prize, the 27-year-old was in disbelief as she said on stage: ‘My third time in a row here, and I still can’t believe it. Incredible. Thank you to France Football for this, for the third time – it really could have gone to anyone.
‘If it was possible to share it I would, because I think it has been a year with an exceptionally high level, above all among my team-mates, who had a great year.
‘Also to receive it from the hands of Andres Iniesta, one of my idols since I was little, alongside Xavi. I learned my football from them – to this day I thank them for all that they have taught me. Thank you to them for everything that they have done in football.
‘I owe Barcelona everything – this is the club of my life. I hope to represent this badge for many more years.’
Bonmati’s Spain team-mate, and Arsenal winger, Mariona Caldentey came second.
There were five England players in the top 10. Arsenal trio Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson came third, fifth and seventh respectively, with Chelsea duo Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton ninth and 10th.
