Ballon d'Or 2025: Ousmane Dembélé Crowned Winner in Historic Ceremony
2025 | Football & Awards
🏆 2025 Ballon d'Or Winner: Ousmane Dembélé
France / Paris Saint-Germain • 33 goals, 13 assists • Champions League Winner
Dembélé's Triumphant Season
Ousmane Dembélé's journey to Ballon d'Or glory represents one of football's most remarkable career resurgences. After joining Paris Saint-Germain, the French international delivered a season of breathtaking quality that culminated in PSG's historic quadruple-winning campaign.
The prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy, football's most coveted individual honor.
Dembélé's victory was built on a foundation of consistent excellence throughout the 2024-25 season. His 33 goals and 13 assists across all competitions were instrumental in PSG securing the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and most importantly, the club's maiden UEFA Champions League trophy.
Historic Winners Across All Categories
The 2025 ceremony celebrated excellence across multiple categories, with winners representing the pinnacle of achievement in their respective fields.
| Award | Winner | Team/Nationality | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Ballon d'Or | Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain / France | Led PSG to historic quadruple including first UCL title |
| Women's Ballon d'Or | Aitana Bonmatí | Barcelona / Spain | Third consecutive win, joining exclusive club of 3-time winners |
| Men's Kopa Trophy | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona / Spain | First two-time winner in history |
| Women's Kopa Trophy | Vicky López | Barcelona / Spain | First-ever women's winner |
| Men's Yashin Trophy | Gianluigi Donnarumma | PSG/Man City / Italy | Key to PSG's Champions League victory |
| Women's Yashin Trophy | Hannah Hampton | Chelsea / England | First-ever women's winner |
The introduction of women's categories for these prestigious awards represents a significant step forward in the recognition of women's football, coming at a time when the women's game is experiencing unprecedented growth and visibility worldwide.
Bonmatí Makes History with Third Consecutive Win
While Dembélé's victory captured headlines, Aitana Bonmatí's achievement may have been even more historic. The Spanish midfielder became only the fourth player in history to win three consecutive Ballon d'Or awards, joining an exclusive club that includes legends of the women's game.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Bonmatí joins an elite group of players to win three consecutive Ballon d'Or awards, cementing her legacy as one of the all-time greats.
Women's Football Recognition
Vicky López and Hannah Hampton made history as the first winners of the women's Kopa and Yashin Trophies respectively.
PSG Dominance
Dembélé's win completes a remarkable year for Paris Saint-Germain, who secured their first Champions League title.
French Celebration
Dembélé becomes the first French winner since Karim Benzema in 2022, sparking celebrations across France.
The Winning Campaign: Dembélé's Path to Glory
Dembélé's Ballon d'Or victory was built on a foundation of exceptional performances throughout the season, particularly in crucial moments that defined PSG's historic campaign.
Key Moments in Dembélé's Winning Season
- Champions League Final: Scored a stunning goal in PSG's 3-1 victory over Manchester City
- Quarter-Final Heroics: Two goals against Bayern Munich in the second leg
- Domestic Dominance: Secured Ligue 1 Golden Boot with 24 league goals
- International Impact: Led France to UEFA Nations League victory
- Consistency: Scored or assisted in 12 consecutive Champions League matches
These performances established Dembélé as the clear choice for the award, overcoming strong competition from Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who finished second after a spectacular season of his own.
A Timeline of Ballon d'Or Evolution
The 2025 ceremony represents the latest chapter in the award's storied history, which has evolved significantly over the decades.
The first Ballon d'Or is awarded to Stanley Matthews of Blackpool and England.
The award expands to include all players from any nationality affiliated with UEFA.
The Kopa Trophy is introduced to honor the best under-21 player.
Aitana Bonmatí begins her historic run of Ballon d'Or victories.
Ousmane Dembélé wins after leading PSG to historic quadruple; Bonmatí completes three-peat.
Spotlight on Key Winners
Ousmane Dembélé - Men's Ballon d'Or
Dembélé's transformation from talented but inconsistent winger to Ballon d'Or winner represents one of football's great redemption stories. His technical ability, speed, and decision-making reached new heights during PSG's historic campaign.
Aitana Bonmatí - Women's Ballon d'Or
Bonmatí's third consecutive Ballon d'Or cements her status as one of the greatest midfielders in women's football history. Her vision, technical mastery, and leadership have defined an era for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
Lamine Yamal - Men's Kopa Trophy
At just 18 years old, Yamal has become the first player to win the Kopa Trophy twice, cementing his status as football's next superstar. His technical ability and maturity beyond his years have drawn comparisons to legendary Barcelona graduates.
Conclusion: A New Era for Football Recognition
The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony will be remembered as a celebration of excellence, redemption, and historic achievement. Ousmane Dembélé's victory completes a remarkable personal journey while cementing Paris Saint-Germain's arrival as European football's new powerhouse.
Aitana Bonmatí's third consecutive win places her among the pantheon of football's all-time greats, while the introduction of women's categories for the Kopa and Yashin Trophies represents significant progress toward gender equality in football recognition.
As the football world celebrates these achievements, the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony stands as a testament to the sport's capacity for storytelling, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that captivates millions around the globe.