PSG and France forward Ousman Dembele was voted as the 2025 balon d’Or winner in yesterday’s ceremony that was held in Paris, France.
In the women category, Spain and Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or Feminin, the women’s equivalent, for the third year in a row, edging out Mariona Caldentey. The midfielder became the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or for three consecutive years. Lionel Messi and Michel Platini are the only other winners to have achieved that feat, but in men category.
The PSG talisman beat strong opponents, led by the sensational Barcelona winger Lamin Yamal, Dembele’s PSG teammate Vitinha, Barca’s Raphinha, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, among others.
Last year’s award went to Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodrygo.
It was a big statement of it’s own, as the trophy was awarded to Dembele by Ronaldinho, one of the iconic figures in football history. In his acceptance speech, the French forward didn’t hide his feelings on his achievements.
“I don’t have many words. Look, it’s not easy. It is one of the best things I have accomplished in my career,” Dembele said on stage.
“Winning this trophy from Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is amazing.
“To all the team and the club, it’s really an incredible family. You have been amazing since the first day. The president, since the first contact, he has been exceptional with me.
“I want to also thank all the staff at PSG, my coach Luis Enrique has been amazing with me and has been the most important of my career.
“My team-mates have been amazing in 2024 and 2025, they have been with me in the bad moments. It is not an individual trophy, it is for us all to win this.”
