1. The Precedent: Ballon d'Or Triumph
Dembélé already secured the prestigious Ballon d'Or earlier this year. While the two awards have separate voting bodies,
winning the Ballon d'Or establishes a powerful narrative that often influences the FIFA The Best voting bloc (which includes national team coaches, captains, and selected journalists).
2. The Defining Factor: Team Success
The core reason for his dominance lies in his team's success during the 2024/2025 season with Paris Saint-Germain:
Historic Treble: Dembélé was the central figure as PSG secured a historic treble, including the Ligue 1 title and a dominant win in the Champions League Final against Inter Milan.
The Catalyst Role: Under coach Luis Enrique, Dembélé evolved from a purely direct winger into the team's primary creative catalyst. His 11 goals and 14 assists across 55 appearances were decisive, but his unpredictability and leadership in major games were deemed irreplaceable.
3. The Voting Advantage
Unlike the Ballon d'Or (voted only by journalists), the FIFA The Best award incorporates votes from three groups, all weighted equally:
National Team Coaches
National Team Captains
Selected Media Representatives
His success across Europe's top club competition (the Champions League) and his strong performances for France have secured broad support across all three voting pillars.
Key Details on the Ceremony
Event: The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025
Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Location: Doha, Qatar
Time: The ceremony is scheduled to start around 20:00 local time (18:00 CET).
Other Key Contenders
While Dembélé is the clear favourite, the ceremony will also honour other standout players, including:
Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona): The young Spaniard, who finished as the Ballon d'Or runner-up, is expected to finish high in the voting for his sensational breakthrough season.
Raphinha (FC Barcelona): The Brazilian winger, who finished fifth in the Ballon d'Or, is also in contention.If the reports hold true, Ousmane Dembélé will be consolidating his place as the definitive player of 2025.
Would you like to know who the favourite is to win the The Best FIFA Men's Coach award? (Hint: It relates to PSG's success!)