PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembélé has etched his name in football history by winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, completing a remarkable career turnaround after years of battling injuries and inconsistency.
The announcement came on Monday night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where football’s biggest stars gathered for the annual France Football ceremony.
The 28-year-old edged Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who finished second, in what many observers described as one of the closest races in recent memory.
Dembélé succeeds Manchester City’s Rodri, last year’s winner, and becomes the latest Frenchman to capture the prestigious award.
Once hailed as one of the most exciting prospects in Europe, Dembélé’s early years at Barcelona were marred by injuries that kept him on the sidelines and cast doubts over his ability to fulfill his potential. His transfer to PSG, however, marked a turning point.
In Paris, under a system built to maximize his creativity and pace, Dembélé produced his most consistent season yet.
He combined dazzling wing play with clinical finishing, leading PSG to a domestic treble and a deep run in the UEFA Champions League.
His performances not only revived his career but also restored him as a central figure in France’s national team setup.
While his statistics this season were impressive, football analysts note that his Ballon d’Or triumph goes beyond goals and assists. It represents resilience, perseverance, and the ability to reinvent oneself after years of setbacks.
“Dembélé’s journey is a lesson in patience and determination. Few players have been written off as often, and few have come back with such authority,” one pundit remarked during the ceremony.
Although Yamal missed out on the top prize, the Barcelona prodigy was rewarded with the 2025 Kopa Trophy, given to the best U-21 player in the world. His rapid rise in La Liga and international football has already positioned him as one of the future icons of the game.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, goalkeeper for the Super Falcons, made history by ranking 4th in the women’s Ballon d’Or list, underlining Africa’s growing presence on the global stage.
Elsewhere, England’s Mary Hampton claimed the Yachine Trophy for best goalkeeper, capping a year in which PSG dominated the awards.
With multiple players shortlisted across categories, PSG’s influence was evident throughout the night.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi described the evening as a proud moment for the PSG family and for French football, celebrating Dembélé’s triumph as a symbol of the club’s ambition.
As the glittering ceremony closed, the spotlight remained firmly on Dembélé, once doubted, now celebrated as the world’s best.
