Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has officially been crowned the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner,
edging out Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal to claim the most prestigious individual award in world football.
The French winger becomes the first PSG player since Lionel Messi in 2021 to lift the trophy,
marking a career-defining moment after years of battling injuries and inconsistency earlier in his career.
A Career Comeback Story
Once regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents at Borussia Dortmund, Dembele’s early years at Barcelona were plagued with injuries.
Many doubted whether he would ever fulfill his immense potential.
But since joining PSG, the 28-year-old has completely reinvented himself. Under Luis Enrique, Dembele has become the creative heartbeat of PSG’s attack,
dazzling with his trademark pace, dribbling, and decisive contributions in big games.
The 2024/25 Season That Changed Everything
Helped PSG win a historic domestic treble (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Coupe de la Ligue).
Played a starring role in PSG’s Champions League triumph, including key goals and assists in the knockout rounds.
Registered over 30 goal contributions across all competitions.
Led France to the Euro 2024 semi-finals, showcasing his ability to deliver on the international stage.
Ballon d’Or Podium
1. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – The 18-year-old phenomenon continues to rise, finishing second in only his second senior season.
3. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – After guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title, the Egyptian King rounded out the podium.
What This Win Means
For Dembele, this award cements his transformation from a once injury-prone talent into one of the world’s most complete forwards.
It also serves as a reminder that resilience and persistence can turn around even the most difficult careers.
For PSG, it’s another milestone in their quest for global dominance, proving that the Parisian giants can nurture Ballon d’Or winners beyond Messi and Neymar.Bravo Ousmane ! 🇫🇷#ballondor pic.twitter.com/7TA1oSpjub
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 22, 2025