The football world turned its eyes to Paris on Monday night as the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony crowned new champions of the sport. Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé lifted his first-ever men’s Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí made history by becoming the first woman to win the award three years in a row. The glittering event at Théâtre du Châtelet highlighted an unforgettable season for both players, cementing their legacies in world football.
Dembélé Crowned After Career-Best Season
French international Ousmane Dembélé, at 28, finally saw his remarkable rise recognized on the global stage. The PSG forward delivered an emotional acceptance speech, fighting back tears as he dedicated the award to his mother, who was present in the audience.
Dembélé’s honor came on the back of a sensational 2024–25 campaign, where he netted 35 goals and registered 16 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. His contributions proved vital in PSG’s most successful season in history, including their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy with a commanding 5-0 win over Inter Milan in Munich.
UEFA named Dembélé Champions League Player of the Season, further underscoring his decisive impact. PSG’s treble triumph, which also included Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, placed him as the clear frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or.
The top three saw Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal finish runner-up, while PSG teammate Vitinha claimed third place. Interestingly, the ceremony coincided with PSG’s rescheduled Ligue 1 clash against Marseille due to thunderstorms, yet Dembélé ensured he was present in Paris to accept the award—handed to him by Brazilian legend Ronaldinho.
Bonmatí Creates Ballon d’Or History
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí continued to redefine greatness. The 27-year-old Spanish midfielder became the first female footballer to clinch the Ballon d’Or three consecutive times, a feat previously achieved only by Lionel Messi and Michel Platini in the men’s game.
Despite Barcelona falling short in the Champions League final against Arsenal and Spain losing to England on penalties in the Euro 2025 final, Bonmatí’s individual brilliance never went unnoticed. She guided Barcelona to a domestic treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup—while also winning Player of the Tournament at Euro 2025, where she scored a decisive extra-time goal against Germany in the semifinals.
Her consistency and influence on the pitch have now firmly established her as one of the greatest players in the history of the women’s game.
Rising Stars and Notable Winners
The night also shone a spotlight on several other standout figures from the past season:
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Cole Palmer (Chelsea) reached his highest Ballon d’Or ranking at eighth place, following his role in helping the Blues capture their first-ever Club World Cup title. His progress marked a leap from last year’s 25th place finish.
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Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) became the first player to win the Kopa Trophy (best U-21 player) twice in a row. At only 18 years old, Yamal delivered 18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions, making him one of the most exciting talents in world football.
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Luis Enrique (PSG) was awarded the men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy for best coach after steering PSG to their historic treble. On the women’s side, Sarina Wiegman collected the coaching honor for leading England to back-to-back European Championship titles.
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Hannah Hampton (Chelsea & England) won the inaugural Women’s Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper after her decisive penalty saves in Euro 2025. For the men, Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) claimed the award.
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Vicky López (Barcelona) made history as the first winner of the Women’s Kopa Trophy, while PSG and Arsenal were named Clubs of the Year in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
A Night of Legacy and New Chapters
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony not only honored individual brilliance but also highlighted a season of breakthroughs and historic milestones. Dembélé’s long-awaited recognition marks a defining moment in his career, while Bonmatí’s continued dominance sets a new benchmark for women’s football.
With rising stars like Lamine Yamal and Cole Palmer already making their mark, and seasoned icons like Bonmatí and Dembélé continuing to shine, football’s future looks brighter than ever.
Sources: The New York Times
