Ousmane Dembélé Beats Yamal to Win 2025 Ballon d’Or

• Ousmane Dembélé crowned after treble-winning season with PSG
• French forward scored 35 goals and registered 16 assists in all competitions
• Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal takes Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, edging Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal to claim football’s most prestigious individual prize.

The 28-year-old scored 35 goals and added 16 assists across 53 appearances last season as PSG won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and their first Champions League title. The French champions also reached the Club World Cup final in the United States, losing to Chelsea.

Dembélé, currently sidelined through injury, collected the award at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday.

“Thank you all,” an emotional Dembélé said. “What just happened to me is incredible. I’m speechless. It’s been an amazing season with PSG. I’ve experienced incredible things, and I’m a little nervous; it’s not easy. Receiving this trophy, especially from Ronaldinho, is truly exceptional. I want to thank PSG for signing me in 2023. The president, the entire team, and the club. They are a wonderful family. From day one, the president has treated me very well.”

The France international praised those who supported him through his journey. “I would also like to thank all the staff at PSG who have been fantastic,” he said. “Luis Enrique, who is like a father to me. He has been very important to my career, even though it’s not over yet. Thank you to all my teammates. We’ve won almost everything. You’ve been by my side, and together we’ve raised our level to achieve these team trophies. This is an individual award, but we all share in this success as a team.”

Barcelona paid over €100m to sign Dembélé from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, but his six seasons in Spain were plagued by inconsistency and injuries. Since his €50m move to PSG in 2023, he has flourished under Enrique.

“Thank you to all the clubs I’ve played for: Stade Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, and the club I always dreamed of playing for, Barcelona,” he said. “I learned so much there, playing alongside players like Messi and Iniesta. It was a great learning experience. I am so happy. When I see the list of legends who have won this award… I worked hard for the team to win the Champions League, Ligue 1 … to win this trophy is incredible. I am very happy.”

Dembélé succeeds Manchester City’s Rodri as the Ballon d’Or winner, joining an elite group of players to claim the trophy.

Yamal, 18, helped Barcelona win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa, while also shining in high-profile matches such as the Champions League semifinal defeat to Inter Milan and the Clásico against Real Madrid. Earlier in the evening, he collected the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player.

Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí won her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin, becoming only the third player in history to achieve a three-peat after Michel Platini and Lionel Messi.

Other award winners included Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres and Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor, who shared the Gerd Müller Trophy for most goals in a season. PSG and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named men’s best goalkeeper, while Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton took the women’s award. PSG coach Luis Enrique and England manager Sarina Wiegman received the Johan Cruyff trophies as best coaches.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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