The suspense is over: Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembélé has officially been crowned the winner of the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or. The prestigious award, presented by France Football, caps a phenomenal career-best season for the 28-year-old, whose heroics led his club to domestic dominance and ultimate glory in the Champions League.
Dembélé beat out a competitive field of nominees, with Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal finishing as the runner-up. The victory was widely anticipated, as PSG‘s dominant team success made one of their stars a likely recipient.
The tactical masterstroke that changed everything
The 2024-25 season was the best of Dembélé’s career, a transformation sparked by a tactical masterstroke from his manager, Luis Enrique. After starting the campaign in his usual position on the right wing, Enrique made the bold decision to convert him into a central striker. The move proved to be revolutionary, unlocking a level of goalscoring prowess that had previously been untapped.
In Ligue 1, he was sensational, plundering 21 goals and providing 8 assists in just 29 appearances, which saw him share the division’s top scorer award and earn a spot in the Team of the Year. However, it was his performances on the European stage that truly cemented his push for the Ballon d’Or.
Conquering Europe in style
The French international played an integral role in PSG‘s triumphant Champions League campaign. He was not just a participant but a decisive force, scoring eight goals against elite opponents like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. When he wasn’t finding the back of the net himself, he was creating goals for others. He ended the European campaign with six assists, which included setting up the decisive goal in the semi-final victory over Arsenal and creating two of the five goals scored in the final against Inter.
A childhood dream realized
“Winning a Ballon d’Or when you’re a football player is obviously the Holy Grail individually,” Dembélé said in an interview back in June. “It’s something you dream about when you’re little.”
Dembélé’s victory is a testament to his resilience and the fulfillment of the immense potential he has shown throughout his career. At 28, he has finally reached the pinnacle of the sport, a journey aided significantly by a tactical tweak that transformed him from a brilliant winger into a world-beating forward. In the first post-Messi/Ronaldo era, Dembélé’s triumph, fueled by team success and individual brilliance, rightfully makes him the new king of world football.