By Emmanuel Maijo
Ousmane Dembélé capped off a fairytale season with Paris Saint-Germain by winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, edging out Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal. On the women’s side, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí made history by clinching her third consecutive title.
The glittering ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday night saw the PSG forward become the sixth Frenchman to claim football’s most prestigious individual award, joining legends such as Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.
Dembele’s Redemption Story
Dembélé’s triumph came after a season of transformation. Initially sidelined by PSG coach Luis Enrique for disciplinary reasons, the French international reinvented himself as a No. 9. The move proved inspired — he netted 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 matches, including 14 direct goal involvements in PSG’s victorious Champions League campaign.
He was instrumental in the Parisian club’s first-ever Champions League triumph, contributing to a dominant 5-0 final win over Inter Milan. PSG went on to complete a historic quadruple.
Receiving the trophy from former winner Ronaldinho, Dembélé fought back tears as he dedicated the award to his family.
“It’s incredible to win a trophy like this,” he said in French. “I worked for the team to bring PSG its first Champions League. To then be rewarded individually is truly exceptional.”
The forward’s mother joined him on stage during his emotional speech.
Yamal, who turned 18 in July, had been widely tipped to challenge for the award after a stellar season with Barcelona and a starring role in Spain’s Euro 2025 triumph. Although he missed out on the Ballon d’Or, the teenager was recognised with the Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player for the second year running.
Bonmati’s Hat-trick of Crowns
In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí continued her dominance by securing her third straight Ballon d’Or. She becomes only the third player, after Platini and Lionel Messi, to win three in a row.
Bonmatí overcame adversity to shine once again. Just days after being hospitalised with viral meningitis, she played a starring role at Euro 2025, where Spain lost to England in a dramatic penalty shootout. Despite missing out on the continental crown, she was named Player of the Tournament.
Domestically, she inspired Barcelona to a domestic treble and a Champions League final appearance.
“Third time in a row here, and I still can’t believe it,” Bonmatí said. “I owe Barcelona everything. This is the club of my life.”
Her teammate Mariona Caldentey finished runner-up, while England striker Alessia Russo placed third.
Other Major Winners
The night brought further glory for PSG, as the club was named Best Men’s Team. Luis Enrique collected the Best Men’s Coach Award, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma received the Lev Yashin Trophy before his summer move to Manchester City.
In the women’s categories, England’s Sarina Wiegman was honoured as Best Women’s Coach after leading the Lionesses to the European title, while goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was named Best Women’s Goalkeeper.
The Gerd Müller Trophies for top scorers went to Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres, who starred in Portugal before his summer transfer to North London.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Vicky López took home the Women’s Kopa Trophy, underscoring the Catalan club’s continued dominance in the women’s game.
A Historic Night in Paris
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony highlighted the shifting power dynamics in world football. For PSG, Dembélé’s rise signalled redemption and resurgence, while for Barcelona, Bonmatí and Yamal reaffirmed the club’s future on both fronts.
It was a night of tears, triumph, and history at the heart of Paris.
