Dembele Wins Men’s Ballon d’Or; Bonmati Makes History with Third Consecutive Women’s Title
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele was awarded the Ballon d’Or, recognizing his outstanding contributions during the past season. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain made headlines by winning the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third year in a row.
Dembele, 28, earned the prestigious award after a remarkable season in which he scored 35 goals and played a crucial role in PSG’s Champions League victory. His efforts helped the team secure both the French league title and the domestic cup, culminating in a stunning 5-0 win against Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
“I really don’t have the words. It was an incredible season with PSG,” Dembele said, visibly emotional during his acceptance speech. He expressed gratitude to his coach, Luis Enrique, who also won the award for club coach of the year, calling him “like a father” to him. Emphasizing teamwork, Dembele remarked, “It is an individual trophy, but it was really the collective that won it.”
He narrowly beat out Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona star who claimed the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 for the second consecutive year. While Dembele celebrated his win, his PSG teammates were engaged in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille, which had been postponed due to bad weather.
Bonmati’s Historic Achievement
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati triumphed once again, winning the Ballon d’Or after a standout year that included being named player of the tournament at the Women’s Euro 2025. Bonmati edged out her teammate Mariona Caldentey, who represented Spain alongside her in the Euro final.
“I am very proud,” Bonmati stated, attributing her success to her teammates. “I think I am here for the third consecutive time because of the teams I play in, so all of this is because of them.”
Bonmati’s victory marks her third consecutive win, following back-to-back successes by her teammate Alexia Putellas. With this achievement, she joins the ranks of legends like Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe, who have also won the women’s Ballon d’Or since its inception in 2018.
Complete List of 2025 Ballon d’Or Winners
– Men’s Yashin Trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Best Goalkeeper)
– Women’s Yashin Trophy: Hannah Hampton
– Men’s Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal (Best U21 Player)
– Women’s Kopa Trophy: Vicky López
– Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Luis Enrique (Best Coach)
– Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Sarina Wiegman
– Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
– Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal
– Gerd Müller Trophy: Viktor Gyökeres and Ewa Pajor
