Dembélé: Ballon d'Or 2025
Once again, France Football magazine brought together the biggest stars in world football at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with the exception of the Real Madrid delegation, who for the second consecutive year did not attend the event, to award the men's Ballon d'Or trophy, which went to Paris Saint-Germain's French striker Ousmane Dembélé; and the women's award went for the third consecutive time to Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí.
- Introduction to the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala
- Highlights of the men's category
- Achievements in the women's category
- The rise of Lamine Yamal
- Other individual awards
- Team awards and special recognitions
- Reactions and future expectations
Highlights in the men's category
The edition was marked by equality and young talent, with Spanish football and Barcelona playing a leading role. For the first time since awards have been given in the women's category, there are two awards, one for each category, for each trophy.
Ousmane Dembélé's achievements
Paris Saint-Germain's brilliant season was crucial in Dembélé winning the most coveted individual award in the sport, beating Lamine Yamal by a large majority, as acknowledged by one of the staff at France Football magazine. The deciding factor was the Parisian club's performance in the Champions League, a competition it has been fighting for since Qatar took over the club's presidency. Added to this achievement is the fact that the French club won all the national trophies, with Dembélé making more than 50 goal contributions (goals plus assists).
Achievements in the women's category
Aitana Bonmatí, historic three-time champion
In the women's category, the award went once again, and for the third consecutive year, to Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, who yesterday entered the history books as the first woman to achieve this feat and the third footballer, along with Lionel Messi, also of Barcelona, to win the Ballon d'Or four years in a row between 2009 and 2012; and Frenchman Michel Platini, who won it between 1983 and 1985.
The rise of Lamine Yamal
However, all eyes were on Barcelona's Spanish striker, Lamine Yamal. The young star, aged just 18 years and 3 months, attended the gala as one of the main favourites for the two major trophies: the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 and the Ballon d'Or, in which he came second.
Yamal's triumphs and records
Unlike the Ballon d'Or, Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive year, becoming the only player to win it on more than one occasion. His great performance and rapid development have made Lamine one of the most decisive players on the current scene. In fact, the Barcelona star was the most incisive player last year, thanks to being the professional who made the most successful dribbles and had the most dangerous chances per game.
His precociousness and talent could break all records. Considering that the award for best young player can be won up to the age of 21, it is not out of the question that Yamal could win one or two more trophies, and who knows if he could combine it with the Ballon d'Or, thus becoming the youngest winner of the most prestigious individual award and a third Kopa Trophy, which could put him in a unique position in the history of football.
Other individual awards
As for the other individual awards, Vicky López won the Kopa Trophy, standing out as one of the most promising players in Spanish football; the Gerd Müller Trophy, for the player who scored the most goals in the season, was awarded to Victor Gyokeres for his season at SP Lisbon, although he collected the award as an Arsenal player; the Yashin Trophy, for the best goalkeeper, was awarded to Gianluigi Donnarumma for his season at PSG, although he collected the award as a Manchester City player; Luis Enrique was named best male coach for his work with PSG, and Sarina Wiegman, England's national team coach, was named best female coach after winning the European Championship last summer.
Team awards and special recognitions
In terms of team awards, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain were the big winners of the night. The trophy was collected by the players present at the event on behalf of the English club, while Qatari businessman and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi collected it on behalf of the French club.
Finally, the Socrates Award was presented to the Xana Foundation, founded by Spanish coach Luis Enrique and named after his young daughter who died a few years ago. The foundation is dedicated to supporting children who are seriously ill and in vulnerable situations.
Reactions and future expectations
Once the gala was over, the international press highlighted the absence of the Real Madrid delegation; the incredible expansion of women's football; Barcelona's ability to develop young talent; and the growth of Spanish talent, which has won five consecutive women's Ballon d'Or awards and two trophies for best young male player. It also raised questions that will take 365 days to answer: Will Dembélé be able to maintain his level and take PSG even further in Europe? Will Aitana Bonmatí continue to lead Barça and Spain? Will new talents arrive to seriously compete for the Ballon d'Or?