Pictured: Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or award was a testament to his huge contribution to PSG's triumphant season // Photo: gettyimages.com
With PSG this year, the 28-year-old footballer was one of the triumphants of the quintuple – winning the Champions League, the European Super Cup, the French Championship, the National Cup and the Super Cup. He received the trophy from the hands of the outstanding Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho. Last season Dembele played in 53 matches, in which he scored 35 goals and made 14 assists.
The footballer was very emotional in his speech, thanking his teammates, the French national team, coaches, previous clubs and family. “My goal in my career was not the Ballon d’Or, but to win this prize is something special. I worked for the team to win the Champions League and to get such a trophy means to be happy,” said the winner and did not hold back tears.
The club, whose colors Dembele has been defending since 2023, is recognized as the best in the world in 2025. PSG could have secured a sextuple (six trophies in a season), but lost to Chelsea 0-3 in the final of the Club World Cup.
The winner of the “Golden Ball” among women for the third time in a row became a player of “Barcelona” and the Spanish women’s national team Aitana Bonmati. The best women’s club was the English Arsenal.
Barcelona player Lamine Yamal, considered one of the favorites alongside Dembélé, finished second in the final list based on votes from captains, national team coaches, and sports journalists (see the TOP 10 in the table). The promising Spanish striker and his teammate Vicky López, who plays for the Barcelona women’s team, were named the best young players.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Manchester City) and Hannah Hampton (Chelsea) received the Lev Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeepers. The winners of the Gerd Muller Trophy for performance were Victor Dijokeres (Sporting / Arsenal) and Eva Payor (Barcelona).
Luis Enrique, who led PSG to the first Champions League victory in the club’s history, and Sarina Wigman, who leads the England women’s national team, were recognized as the best coaches. Under her leadership, the English won the European Women’s Championship.
Last year’s Golden Ball went to Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who this time was not among the nominees, because of injury he missed almost the entire season. The record holder for the number of awards is Argentine striker Lionel Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or eight times. Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo is in second place with five trophies.
“Golden Ball” is considered the most prestigious award in the world of soccer. It has been awarded annually by France Football magazine since 1956.
|
TOP-10* of the Ballon d’Or 2025 (France Football magazine) |
||
|
Place |
Footballer |
Club |
|
1 |
Ousmane Dembele (France) |
PSG |
|
2 |
Lamine Yamal (Spain) |
“Barcelona” |
| 3 |
Vitinha (Portugal) |
PSG |
| 4 |
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) |
“Liverpool |
| 5 | Rafael “Rafinha” Dias (Brazil) |
“Barcelona” |
|
6 |
Ashraf Hakimi (Morocco/Spain) | PSG |
|
7 |
Kylian Mbappe (France) | “Real” |
| 8 |
Cole Palmer (England) |
“Chelsea” |
| 9 | Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy) |
PSG / “Manchester City” |
|
10 |
Nuno Mendes (Portugal) |
PSG |
| * 30 footballers were contenders for the Ballon d’Or | ||
