JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Ousmane Dembele beat Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to the 2025 Ballon d'Or after a stellar season that ended with Champions League success.
The 28-year-old scored 35 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions for PSG, a treble-winning side that also won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, as well as their first Champions League trophy.
The French side also reached the final of the 2025 Club World Cup that summer, but ultimately lost to Chelsea in the final in the United States.
Dembele—who is currently injured and was not included in PSG's squad for the rescheduled match against Marseille on Tuesday (September 23, 2025, early morning WIB)—received the award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on the same day.
The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the best men's player of the season and is administered by France Football. The winner is chosen by international journalists based on a player's individual performance, team achievements, class, and fair play.
"Thank you everyone. What has just happened to me is incredible. I'm speechless. This season has been incredible with PSG. I've experienced incredible things and I'm a little nervous; it hasn't been easy."
"Receiving this trophy, especially from Ronaldinho, is incredible. I want to thank PSG for signing me in 2023. The president, the entire team, and the club. They are an incredible family."
"From day one, the president has treated me very well," said an emotional Dembele in his acceptance speech.
Dembele, who replaced Manchester City's Rodri was the winner, considered one of the greatest talents in football when he first emerged, first at Rennes and then at Borussia Dortmund.
He became the sixth Frenchman to win the award, following Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.
"I also want to thank all the staff at PSG who have been incredible. Luis Enrique, who is like a father to me."
"He has been very important for my career, even though it's not over yet. Thanks to all my teammates."
"We've won almost everything. You've been by my side, and together we've raised our level to win this team's trophies."
"This is an individual award, but we all share this success as a team," Dembele added.
Barcelona paid over 100 million euros to sign him in 2017. Despite spending six seasons at the Catalan club, he never managed to elevate his game to the next level.
However, since moving to PSG in Signed in 2023 for 50 million euros, he has established himself as one of the best players under coach Luis Enrique.
"Thanks to all the clubs I've played for, Stade Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, and the club I've always dreamed of playing for, Barcelona."
"I learned a lot there, playing alongside players like Messi and Iniesta. It was an incredible learning experience."
"I'm very 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, and winning this trophy is incredible. I'm very happy," he added.
Last season, following Kylian Mbappé's move to Real Madrid, he took on a more central role in the team, often playing centrally rather than out wide, and the results were explosive.
In addition to his 35 goals, he also recorded 16 assists as part of the PSG team that made history by winning the treble.
Dembele's biggest rival comes from youngster Lamine Yamal, who helped Barcelona win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de Espana).
The 18-year-old also produced some of his best moments and goals in big matches, including the Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan and the El Clásico against Real Madrid.
Despite missing out on the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Yamal was still honored that night. She was awarded the Kopa Trophy for Best Young Player (U-21).
Meanwhile, Vicky Lopez of Barcelona won the Best Young Player award for Women.
"I must continue to strive to win more awards in the future," said Yamal.
Barcelona and Spanish national team star Aitana Bonmati was awarded the Ballon d'Or Feminine for the third consecutive year, joining Michel Platini and Lionel Messi as only the third player in history to win three consecutive titles.
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) and Ewa Pajor (Barcelona) won the Gerd Muller Trophy for the season's top goalscorer.
Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City) and Hannah Hampton (Chelsea) were named the Best Goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy) in the world.
Donnarumma received the award for her performances for PSG in the 2024/2025 season and the Italian national team.
Then PSG manager Luis Enrique and England women's national team manager Sarina Wiegman received the Johan Cruyff Trophy, which is awarded to the best coach of the year.
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