Paris Saint-Germain and France winger Ousmane Dembélé has been crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, capping off a stellar season at both club and international level. The award ceremony took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where football legends and current stars gathered to witness history. In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmatí made history of her own by winning her third consecutive Ballon d’Or, further cementing her status as one of the greatest players of her generation.
Dembélé Crowned Best in the World
The 28-year-old Dembélé beat Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to secure football’s most prestigious individual prize. He received the golden ball from Ronaldinho, who himself won the award in 2005.
The PSG forward was visibly emotional during his acceptance speech, breaking into tears as he thanked his mother, who joined him on stage. Dembélé’s win reflects his consistency and explosive performances for both club and country in 2025.
Bonmatí’s Historic Hat-Trick
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí made history by becoming the first player ever to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin three times since its introduction in 2018.
Despite Spain’s defeat to England in the Euro 2025 final and Barcelona’s Champions League heartbreak against Arsenal, Bonmatí stood out as the best player in both tournaments. At 27, she has already established herself as a football icon and continues to inspire a generation of players across the world.
Other Major Winners
The night also saw several other stars recognized for their contributions to football in 2025:
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG, France)
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona, Spain)
Men’s Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Women’s Kopa Trophy: Vicky López (Barcelona, Spain)
Men’s Yashin Trophy: Hannah Hampton (England, Chelsea)
Women’s Yashin Trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG, Italy)
Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP, Sweden)
Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg, Poland)
Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy (Coach): Luis Enrique (PSG)
Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy (Coach): Sarina Wiegman (England)
Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal
Sócrates Award: Xana Foundation
Conclusion
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony highlighted both established legends and rising stars. Dembélé’s triumph marked the pinnacle of his career, while Bonmatí’s third consecutive win confirmed her as a generational great. With Lamine Yamal, Vicky López, and other young stars already making headlines, the future of world football looks brighter than ever.
