The Wait Is Over: Ousmane Dembélé Wins the 2025 Ballon d’Or

The wait to discover the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or has finally ended. For many, justice was served when Ronaldinho announced Ousmane Dembélé as the winner at the gala held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. For others, it was a night to remember because Lamine Yamal did not claim the coveted football award.

Lamine Yamal Leaves “Empty-Handed”

The expression on Lamine Yamal’s face when he was announced as the winner of the Kopa Trophy said it all. It was highly unlikely for the young player to win both this award and the Ballon d’Or, and that’s how it played out. The Frenchman took home the night’s biggest prize, but he made a point to approach the 18-year-old for a heartfelt embrace, a great gesture of sportsmanship.

However, the Barcelona footballer’s face told the story. It was clear that it was a tough night for him, and the cameras captured it. A second-place finish at his young age is no small feat, as he will have plenty of opportunities to win the Ballon d’Or in his career, but 2025 was not his year.

Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí Shine at the 2025 Ballon d’Or: Full Gala Recap

Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé and Spaniard Aitana Bonmatí were crowned with the 2025 Ballon d’Or, standing out as the top figures of the season. Dembélé, from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), won the men’s individual award after a historic season, while Bonmatí led Barcelona to four trophies at the Paris gala.

At 28, Dembélé outshone Spaniard Lamine Yamal, who won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, while his teammate Vicky López claimed the women’s version of the Kopa Trophy, completing a significant Barcelona poker of awards.

The French forward became the sixth PSG player to win the Ballon d’Or, following legends like Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema. Dembélé capped his best individual season by helping PSG win the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and French Super Cup.

“The Ballon d’Or was never a goal in my career, but now that I have it, it’s something extraordinary,” Dembélé confessed through tears, remembering his mother, Fatima, who raised him alone in Évreux and supported his career from a young age. With 35 goals and 16 assists, the Frenchman shone as a striker under Luis Enrique’s guidance, establishing himself as PSG’s offensive leader and reference.

In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmatí won her third consecutive Ballon d’Or, despite not winning the Champions League or the Euros. Her impact at Barcelona and her career trajectory allowed her to surpass standout players like Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) and Alessia Russo (Arsenal). Bonmatí received the award from Andrés Iniesta, also mentioning the influence of Xabi Hernández on her football development.

Despite not winning the Ballon d’Or, Lamine Yamal celebrated his second consecutive Kopa Trophy for the best young player at just 18, outperforming PSG’s Désiré Doué and Joao Neves. In the inaugural women’s Kopa Trophy, Barcelona’s young forward Vicky López triumphed over Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo, completing a Barcelona treble.

Additionally, PSG claimed other major awards: Best Club and Best Coach for Luis Enrique, while the Xana Foundation was recognized with the Socrates Trophy for its social work. In the goalkeepers’ category, Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City) won the Yashin Trophy, succeeding Emiliano Martínez, and in the women’s version, Hannah Hampton (Chelsea) received the first-ever award in this category. England’s national team coach, Sarina Wiegman, was honored with the women’s Cruyff Trophy for her Euros victory.