It was a night of history and emotions in Paris, as Ousmane Dembélé was crowned the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or at the Théâtre du Châtelet on Monday, September 22, 2025.
The ceremony, which began at 9:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET), saw Dembélé honored after a remarkable 2024/2025 season, where he scored 35 goals and registered 14 assists in 53 appearances. His performance was pivotal in Paris Saint-Germain’s treble triumph — securing their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, Ligue 1 crown, and the Coupe de France.
Dembélé becomes the sixth French player to win the Ballon d’Or, following Karim Benzema’s 2022 victory. The award places him among legendary winners such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane.
Visibly emotional, Dembélé dedicated the trophy to his team, saying:
“What I have just experienced is exceptional. This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively. PSG is an incredible family — the president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the coach have been like fathers to me.”
In a touching moment, he called his mother on stage, hugging her to the applause of a tearful audience.
Analysts say Dembélé’s win represents not just individual brilliance but also a career comeback, after years of injuries and inconsistency. With this triumph, the 28-year-old forward has etched his name into football history.
Report by: Gborogen Rejoice | Edited by: Chris Odjomah