Paris Saint Germain (PSG) superstar Ousmane Dembele was announced as the top footballer on Monday night, during the biggest moment of the Ballon D’Or celebration at Theatre Du Chatelet, France.
For the first time in his career, the French forward received the award in an occasion clouded with honor, as football legends and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate top-performing players for the previous season.
Dembele’s victory spanned from his amazing performance in the 2024/25 season, where his contributions delivered four titles to his club, winning the almighty UEFA Champions League for the first time, with his brilliance helping the France national team.
For the last season, Dembele recorded 51 goal contributions where he scored 35 goals, and registered 16 assists in every competition. For his club, the 28–year–old in–form striker won the Ligue 1 title, France Super Cup, UCL and UEFA Super Cup. Individually, he also emerged as the best player in the UCL tournament during the first–ever league phase edition.
Meanwhile, the Ballon D’Or winner was so emotional, as he received one of his major awards, recounting years of trying periods.
Sharing his filthy struggles to the triumph, Dembele remarked: “They said I was finished. They laughed when I fell, they called me fragile, injury-prone, a wasted talent. What they didn’t see were the nights I cried in silence, the pain I carried, the moments I almost gave up.
“They never saw the hours of rehab, the loneliness, the doubts that tried to break me. This Ballon d’Or isn’t just a trophy—it’s a symbol of survival. Every scar, every setback, every sleepless night has brought me here. This golden ball shines bright, but my journey to it was built in the dark.
“To those who believed in me when the world turned away—this is for you. And to those who doubted… Thank you, you made me stronger.”
Recognizing the commitment of his family, he said “To my mother, I want to thank you…You have always been there for me, mama…Always been by my side”.
“To my family, we have experienced so much together. We have been through it all. We’ll always be together.”
Other Winners
The Barcelona and Spanish world–class midfielder Aitana Bonmati picked up a world–record achievement when she was crowned the best player in the women’s category, winning the trophy for the third consecutive times—the first person to record such a massive feat in history.
Also, the Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal clinched the Kopa Trophy as the best young male player, as Elena Fisher won the female version.
The English shot stopper Hannah Hampton was recognized for her brilliant form, becoming the first winner of the newly introduced Women’s Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the world, while Liverpool’s Alisson Becker emerged as the winner of the male category once again.
The Arsenal new signing Victor Gyokores took home the Gerd Muller Trophy as the top goal scorer, after enjoying a spell season at FC Sporting.
For clubs, Paris Saint-Germain were named Men’s Club of the Year, while Arsenal Women claimed the Women’s Club of the Year award.
With emotional speeches, star-studded appearances, and recognition of football’s best talents, the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony once again showed why it is the sport’s most prestigious awards night