OUSMANE Dembele of France and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has won the 2025 Ballon d’Or in the men’s category.
He finished ahead of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha of Barcelona, Mohammed Salah of Liverpool, and Vitinha of PSG.
Dembele’s 2024/2025 campaign was the most successful of his career. He was instrumental in PSG’s first-ever UEFA Champions League victory and also helped secure the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Trophée des Champions.
His contributions included 35 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
Lamine Yamal was rewarded for his breakout season in the main category and retained the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best young male player.
Vitinha, also of PSG, competed for the top position after his influential role in midfield for both club and Portugal.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona claimed the Ballon d’Or for the third consecutive year. She finished ahead of Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal and Spain, who came second, while Alessia Russo of Arsenal was placed third.
Bonmati’s season included decisive performances for both club and country, despite health setbacks before Euro 2025.
The Yashin Trophies for best goalkeepers went to Gianluigi Donnarumma in the men’s category and Hannah Hampton of Chelsea in the women’s category.
PSG was named the best men’s club of the season, while Arsenal claimed the women’s club award.
The ceremony took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and honoured only performances from the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The Ballon d’Or, which was first presented in 1956 by French magazine France Football, remains football’s most prestigious individual award.
It has historically been dominated by players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who shared the honour for over a decade.
Yet many legends, including Neymar, Thierry Henry, Robert Lewandowski, Andres Iniesta, and David Beckham, never won the prize despite outstanding careers.
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