Ousmane Dembélé, Aitana Bonmatí Crowned 2025 Ballon d’Or Winners in Paris
Dembele claims his first men’s Ballon d’Or after a sensational season with PSG, while Bonmatí makes history by winning her third straight women’s award
The Theatre du Châtelet played host to football’s greatest stars Monday night as the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony celebrated an extraordinary season, crowning Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí as the best male and female players in the world.
Ousmane Dembélé, 28, emerged victorious in the men’s category for the first time, becoming the sixth Frenchman ever to win the prize.
His campaign for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was nothing short of spectacular, helping lead the club to their first ever UEFA Champions League title, while also harvesting laurels in Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
The consistency and impact of Dembélé throughout the 2024/25 season proved decisive in edging out stiff competition, notably from Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Dembélé dedicated the award to his teammates, PSG’s coach Luis Enrique, and fans. He spoke of a journey filled with highs and stitches both literal and metaphorical, after battling injury setbacks, yet never failing to deliver in moments that matter.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona secured her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin, a feat only matched in men’s history by legends such as Lionel Messi and Michel Platini.
Across the season, she helped Barcelona to a domestic treble and was central to Spain’s deep run in the Women’s EURO 2025, including scoring in critical moments.
While Barcelona fell short in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Arsenal, Bonmatí’s performance and influence remained undeniable.
Other awards at the ceremony reinforced the night’s celebration of both individual brilliance and teamwork. PSG was named Men’s Team of the Season. Gianluigi Donnarumma won the men’s Yashin Trophy as best goalkeeper, Viktor Gyökeres claimed the Gerd Müller Trophy for top scorer.
In the women’s categories, 19-year-old Vicky López took home the Women’s Kopa Trophy as best young player, and England’s Hannah Hampton was awarded the Women’s Yashin Trophy.
The 69th edition of the Ballon d’Or marks a high point for many of its winners, but especially for Dembélé, whose season will be remembered as the moment he stepped fully into elite status, and for Bonmatí, whose sustained excellence continues to break new ground in women’s football.
Source: uefa.com
