Ronaldinho kept the hall quiet for a moment before revealing the winner. "The winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or is Ousmane Dembele", Ronaldinho reveal
Ronaldinho kept the hall quiet for a moment before revealing the winner.
“The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or is Ousmane Dembele”, Ronaldinho revealed
French forward Ousmane Dembele was voted for as the Ballon d’Or winner for the year 2025.
Dembele, 28, was an integral part of the PSG team that won a historic treble after brushing every opponent aside under Spanish gaffer Luis Enrique.
Dembele was in a strong competition with Spanish and Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal, but ultimately came on top.
The talented youngster finished second, with Portuguese midfielder Vitinha finishing third.
Egyptian forward Salah came in fourth, with Brazilian star Raphinha in fifth on the list.
Hakimi (6th), Mbappe (7th), Cole Palmer (8th), Donnarumma (9th) and Nuno Mendes (10) completed the top 10
The final Top 10
10. Nuno Mendes
9. Gigi Donnarumma
8. Cole Palmer
7. Kylian Mbappé
6. Achraf Hakimi
5. Raphinha
4. Mohamed Salah
3. Vitinha
2. Lamine Yamal
1. Ousmane Dembele
Dembele’s thank you message to family, friends and former clubs
“I didn’t want to cry, but as soon as I started talking about my family, about the people who have been there for me, it came up and I couldn’t hold it back,” Dembele said.
He also mentioned his first club, Stade Rennais and the France national team, vowing to win another World Cup next year with coach Didier Deschamps after their 2018 victory.
“What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG,” Dembele said on stage. “I feel a bit of stress; it’s not easy to win this trophy, and to have it presented to me by Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is exceptional.
“I want to thank PSG, who came to get me in 2023. It’s an incredible family. The president Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] is like a father to me. I also want to thank all the staff and the coach, who have been exceptional with me – he too is like a father – and all my teammates.
“We have practically won everything together. You supported me in the good and the difficult times. This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively.”
How the world celebrated Dembele’s triumph
In Barcelona, Mundo Deportivo highlighted the emotional side: “Ousmane thanked Barça, the club that saw him blossom despite his injuries. But now he has become the people’s Ballon d’Or, the kid from Vernon who climbed the mountain.” The British press bowed in respect. “Dembélé is no longer the capricious boy from Barcelona. He’s become a model professional,” wrote the Daily Mail. The Sun summed it up powerfully: “From flop to role model. He runs, he defends, he presses, he scores. He’s the heartbeat of a PSG that finally conquered Europe.”
In Germany, where he left a mark at Dortmund, Bild was direct: “The new king of world football.” The German daily, of course, alluded to his Bundesliga past: “We knew him as a rough diamond. Today, he’s polished every facet. His tears at the Théâtre du Châtelet are the revenge of a player who has suffered a lot.”
In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport emphasised the importance of PSG’s collective: “This PSG ended the era of privileges. Dembélé is the emblem of this team, without Messi or Mbappé, but finally victorious. The Frenchman proves that hard work, patience, and discipline pay off.”
In South America, Olé chose a passionate tone: “The French genius moved the world. Paris has found its new hero. Dembélé didn’t just win for himself, he won for all those who doubted him.”
In Brazil, Globo spoke of “the redemption of a fragile star, now crowned as the world’s best player.” And wrapped up with a powerful statement: “He rewrote history.”
List of full winners of the various categories
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025: Ousmane Dembele
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025: Aitana Bonmati
Kopa Trophy 2025 Men: Lamine Yamal
Kopa Trophy 2025 Women: Vicky López
Yashin Trophy 2025 Men: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Yashin Trophy 2025 Women: Hannah Hampton
Johan Cruyff 2025 Men: Luis Enrique
Johan Cruyff 2025 Women: Sarina Wiegman
Gerd Müller 2025: Viktor Gyokeres (Men) and Ewa Pajor (Women)
Socrates Award 2025: Xana Foundation
Men’s Club of the Year 2025: PSG
Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal
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