Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Dembele’s PSG teammate Vitinha. This was the climax of a season in which he played a key part for PSG in their historic soccer campaign.
Dembele played a key part as PSG won their first UEFA Champions League title. He helped the team win Ligue 1 and the French Cup giving them the treble that solidified their reign as kings of Europe. Dembele’s speed, inventiveness, and clutch moments on the pitch all had him winning awards on a global stage and ultimately the most significant individual award in soccer.
16-year-old Yamal was the second-place finisher. He dazzled with both his club Barcelona and country Spain, displaying maturity beyond his age. He won the Kopa Trophy for best young player, an award that speaks to the meteoric rise as one of soccer’s young superstars.
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for a third consecutive year. Their continued consistency and leadership kept them at the top of the game, ultimately cementing their status as the best in women’s soccer.
Dembele’s award is can also be tagged as a personal victory. Injuries and some inconsistencies had been overshadowing Dembele’s talent over the years. However, under coach Luis Enrique, he eventually found his feet and performed at decisive and key moments on the pitch. His reward is a sweet story of perseverance and redemption.
Although Yamal did not win the top award, but the fact he is mentioned in the final group with the top players means he is on his way to becoming soccer’s next global superstar. At such a young age, his potential is endless.
The award ceremony held in Paris, at the Théâtre du Châtelet was quite emotional. Dembele received his award from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and thanked his teammates, the fans of PSG, and his mother, bringing triggering applause from the audience.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or will be remembered as one of the best for its mix of experience and glamour. Dembele’s honour, Bonmati’s dominance, and Yamal’s ascent made this edition one of the top Ballon d’Or events in recent times.
Read more Nigeria news online at the homepage.