PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé named 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé has been crowned the winner of the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or, capping a career-best season that saw him transform from a wide player into one of Europe’s deadliest strikers.
Under coach Luis Enrique, Dembélé shifted from the right wing to the centre of attack, a gamble that changed his career. He responded with 21 goals and 8 assists in 29 league games, a record that earned him the Ligue 1 Golden Boot and a place in the Team of the Year.
It was in the Champions League, however, that the French forward truly wrote his story. Dembélé scored eight goals, including against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, guiding PSG to their long-awaited European triumph.
His creativity also shone through, providing six assists, with one crucial pass in the semifinal against Arsenal and two more in the 5–1 final win over Inter Milan.
The 28-year-old edged out Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, who finished runner-up. Despite strong seasons from his PSG teammates Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha, it was Dembélé’s decisive moments in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League that convinced voters.
Speaking after receiving the golden trophy, Dembélé described it as the peak of his career.
“Winning a Ballon d’Or when you’re a football player is obviously the Holy Grail individually. It’s something you dream about when you’re little. Just to hold it is exceptional,” he said.
With this victory, Dembélé joins the list of PSG players to lift the Ballon d’Or, his name now etched among football’s greats. For many, the award confirms his evolution from a talented winger into a complete forward capable of delivering on the biggest stage.
