The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony delivered historic milestones, crowning Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé as the men’s winner and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí as the women’s champion. The gala, held in Paris, celebrated not just individual brilliance but also the evolution of football’s global stars.
Dembélé Claims First Ever Ballon d’Or
After a stunning season with PSG and France, Ousmane Dembélé rose above an elite field to clinch his first Ballon d’Or. His electric pace, creativity, and consistency in decisive matches propelled him past teammates and rivals, including Lamine Yamal and Vitinha, who finished second and third respectively.
The victory marks a major shift in the global football landscape, with Dembélé becoming the first French winger since Franck Ribéry to secure such recognition. He dedicated the award to his teammates and family, highlighting the role of PSG’s dominance in his career breakthrough.
Bonmatí Extends Her Legacy
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí cemented her place in history by winning her third consecutive Ballon d’Or. The Barcelona midfielder’s unmatched vision, leadership, and ability to control games from the center of the pitch once again earned her football’s top individual honor.
Her victory also underscores Barcelona’s continued dominance in women’s football, with her teammate Vicky López lifting the Women’s Kopa Trophy for best young player.
Other Award Highlights
The ceremony also honored a new generation of talent and rewarded consistency across positions:
- Kopa Trophy (Men’s Best Young Player): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
- Kopa Trophy (Women’s): Vicky López (Barcelona)
- Yashin Trophy (Men’s Goalkeeper): Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
- Yashin Trophy (Women’s Goalkeeper): Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer, Men’s): Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP)
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer, Women’s): Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg)
- Johan Cruyff Trophy (Best Coach, Men’s): Luis Enrique (PSG)
- Johan Cruyff Trophy (Best Coach, Women’s): Sarina Wiegman (England)
- Club of the Year (Men’s): Paris Saint-Germain
- Club of the Year (Women’s): Arsenal
- Socrates Award (Humanitarian): Xana Foundation
Men’s Ballon d’Or Top 10 Rankings
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Lamine Yamal
- Vitinha
- Mohamed Salah
- Raphinha
- Achraf Hakimi
- Kylian Mbappé
- Cole Palmer
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Nuno Mendes
A New Era in World Football
The 2025 Ballon d’Or results underline a changing of the guard in global football. While established icons like Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappé remained in the top 10, younger stars such as Lamine Yamal and Vitinha have surged to the forefront.
For women’s football, Bonmatí’s continued dominance signals Barcelona’s unmatched influence, though rising players like López point to an exciting next generation.
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