Dembélé and Bonmatí Shine as PSG and Barcelona Dominate 2025 Ballon d’Or Awards

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí headlined the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, marking one of the most memorable nights in modern football.

Dembélé Crowned Best Men’s Player

At 28, Dembélé capped off a career-defining season by winning his first-ever Ballon d’Or. His 2024/25 campaign with PSG was nothing short of spectacular — 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances — guiding the club to a historic treble (Ligue 1, French Cup, and UEFA Champions League), while also finishing runners-up at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The audience erupted in applause as he received the trophy, chanting his name before he delivered an emotional acceptance speech.

Ballon d’Or 2025 Men’s Top 10 Rankings:
3. Vitinha
4. Mohamed Salah
5. Raphinha
6. Achraf Hakimi
7. Kylian Mbappé
8. Cole Palmer
9. Gianluigi Donnarumma
10. Nuno Mendes

Bonmatí Makes History with Third Consecutive Win

In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmatí cemented her status as the best player in the world by winning her third straight Ballon d’Or — the first woman to achieve the feat. The Barcelona and Spain playmaker now joins Lionel Messi and Michel Platini as the only players to win three consecutive Ballon d’Or trophies.

Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey finished second after a stellar season at both club and international levels.

Other Major Winners at the 2025 Ballon d’Or

• Kopa Trophy (Best U21 Player): Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal lifted the award for the second consecutive year.
• Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorers): Ewa Pajor (Barcelona) scored 48 goals to win the women’s award, while Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting/Arsenal) netted 63 to claim the men’s title.
• Best Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea & England) was named best women’s goalkeeper, while Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) claimed the men’s award after his Champions League heroics.
• Best Men’s Club: PSG won after their treble-winning season, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi accepting on behalf of the team.
• Best Men’s Coach: Luis Enrique (PSG) was recognised for delivering the club’s first-ever Champions League crown.
• Johan Cruyff Trophy (Best Women’s Coach): Sarina Wiegman earned the award after leading England to Euro 2025 glory.