Paris, France — September 22, 2025
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati were named the 2025 Ballon d’Or winners at a glittering ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday night, celebrating a season of historic achievements and personal triumphs.
Dembele Delivers PSG’s First Champions League, Claims Ballon d’Or
Dembele, 28, capped off a sensational season by leading PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists across 53 matches. His repositioning as a central striker under coach Luis Enrique proved pivotal, especially during PSG’s dominant 5-0 final win over Inter Milan.
Despite a mid-season disciplinary setback, Dembele’s resurgence was crowned with the Ballon d’Or, making him the sixth Frenchman to win the award, joining legends like Zidane, Platini, and Benzema. He received the trophy from Brazilian icon Ronaldinho and tearfully invited his mother on stage during his acceptance speech.
“I worked for the team to help win PSG’s first Champions League. To then be rewarded with an individual trophy like the Ballon d’Or is truly exceptional,” Dembele said.
He edged out Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who starred for Spain in their Euro 2025 victory and helped Barça clinch La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Yamal, 18, was awarded the Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player for the second consecutive year.
Bonmati Makes History with Third Consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or
Aitana Bonmati continued her reign atop women’s football, becoming only the third player—after Michel Platini and Lionel Messi—to win three consecutive Ballon d’Or titles. Despite Spain’s heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to England in the Women’s Euro final, Bonmati was named the tournament’s best player, having competed just days after recovering from viral meningitis.
She led Barcelona to a domestic treble and a Champions League final appearance, beating teammate Mariona Caldentey and England’s Alessia Russo (third place) to the top honor.
“Third time in a row here, and I still can’t believe it,” Bonmati said. “I owe Barcelona everything. This is the club of my life.”
Other Major Winners
- Best Men’s Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Best Women’s Club: Arsenal
- Best Men’s Coach: Luis Enrique (PSG)
- Best Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman (England)
- Lev Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG, now at Manchester City)
- Best Women’s Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (England)
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorers): Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) and Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)
- Women’s Kopa Trophy: Vicky Lopez (Barcelona)
With PSG dominating the men’s categories and Barcelona continuing their stronghold in the women’s game, the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony highlighted a season of shifting power, rising stars, and unforgettable performances.