PARIS, FRANCE – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or winner, while Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati secured her third consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday Semptember 22, 2025.
The prestigious awards, considered the pinnacle of individual football achievement, recognised the two stars for their extraordinary performances over the past season.
Dembele’s Historic Triumph
Dembele played a key role in PSG’s first-ever Champions League triumph, completing a historic quadruple with the club. The French international topped Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal, who helped his club win La Liga and shone for Spain in Euro 2025.
After a turbulent season that included a brief snub by PSG coach Luis Enrique for disciplinary reasons, Dembele thrived when repositioned as a No. 9 striker. He finished the season with 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 matches, contributing 14 goals in 15 Champions League appearances, including a crucial performance in the 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
Emotional during his acceptance speech, Dembele invited his mother to the stage and said:
“It’s incredible to win a trophy like this. I worked for the team to help win PSG’s first Champions League. To then be rewarded with an individual trophy like the Ballon d’Or is truly exceptional.”
Dembele becomes the sixth French player to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, joining legends Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.
Bonmati’s Remarkable Consistency
Bonmati, despite losing in the Women’s European Championship final to England on penalties, was named the tournament’s best player. She recently recovered from viral meningitis yet played a key role in Barcelona’s domestic treble and Champions League run.
“Third time in a row here, and I still can’t believe it. I owe Barcelona everything. This is the club of my life,” Bonmati said.
She edged out teammate Mariona Caldentey and maintained Barcelona’s dominance in women’s football, marking the fifth consecutive Ballon d’Or for the Spanish club.
Other Awards and Highlights
Lamine Yamal, who turned 18 in July, won the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player for the second consecutive year.
Vicky Lopez (Barcelona) claimed the women’s Kopa Trophy.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) received the Lev Yashin Award for best goalkeeper, while Hannah Hampton (England) was crowned best women’s goalkeeper.
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona) and Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) won the men’s and women’s Gerd Müller trophies for top scorers.
Luis Enrique was recognized as the best men’s coach, and Sarina Wiegman (England) took the best women’s coach award.
PSG was voted the best men’s club, continuing its dominance in European football.
The ceremony highlighted PSG’s remarkable season and Barcelona’s sustained success in women’s football, celebrating both emerging talent and established stars.
