DEMBELE WINS FIRST BALLON D’OR AS BONMATÍ MAKES HISTORY WITH THIRD WOMEN’S TITLE

Paris was the stage for a glittering night of football on Monday night celebration as Ousmane Dembele claimed his first Ballon d’Or and Aitana Bonmatí made history with a record third consecutive women’s award at the 2025 ceremony.

At 28, Dembele delivered on the promise that once made him one of the world’s most expensive players.

The France international was central to Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning campaign, scoring 35 goals and providing 14 assists in 53 appearances as the club lifted the Ligue 1 title, French Cup, and their first-ever Champions League trophy.

He was also joint top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals, named Ligue 1 Player of the Season, and crowned Champions League Player of the Year.

Despite PSG’s league match being played on Monday evening, the forward—currently sidelined by injury—was able to attend the ceremony in Paris.

Dembele finally fulfils his potential

Ousmane Dembele broke down in tears as he received the award from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, with his mother by his side.

“What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG,” Dembele said, visibly emotional.

“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 team-mates.”

“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.”

Dembele became only the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or and the first since Karim Benzema in 2022.

Tactical switch sparked Dembele’s golden run

PSG boss, Luis Enrique, who was also named Coach of the Year, deserves immense credit for Dembele’s resurgence.

In December, he shifted the forward from the wing into a centre-forward role, sparking a scoring surge that saw him net 30 goals from December onwards.

The switch revived a career that had faltered at Barcelona, where he struggled to justify his £135m price tag.

PSG, however, secured his services for just £43.5m in 2023 for a fee that can now be considered one of the greatest bargains in modern football.

PSG dominate the men’s awards

PSG were also crowned Men’s Team of the Year, with five of their stars finishing in the Ballon d’Or top 10:

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah finished fourth, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer secured eighth place.

Italy’s Donnarumma, now at Manchester City, collected his second Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper after keeping 17 clean sheets during PSG’s treble season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s new striker Viktor Gyokeres received the Gerd Müller Trophy after scoring an astonishing 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting Lisbon last season.

Bonmatí makes history with third Ballon d’Or

In the women’s category, Spain and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí underlined her status as one of the all-time greats by becoming the first player ever to win the women’s Ballon d’Or three times in a row (2023, 2024, 2025).

Bonmatí, who recently returned from a battle with viral meningitis to inspire Spain to the Euro 2025 final, was presented the award by Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta.

“My third time in a row here, and I still can’t believe it. Incredible,” Bonmatí said.

“Thank you to France Football for this, for the third time, it really could have gone to anyone”

“If it was possible to share it I would, because I think it has been a year with an exceptionally high level, above all among my team-mates.”

“To receive it from the hands of Andrés Iniesta, one of my idols since I was little, alongside Xavi, is truly special.”

“I owe Barcelona everything, this is the club of my life. I hope to represent this badge for many more years.”

Bonmatí beat compatriot Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) into second place, with England’s Alessia Russo finishing third.

Other winners on the night

• Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal

• Women’s Coach of the Year: Sarina Wiegman (England)

• Women’s Yashin Trophy: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea & England)

• Kopa Trophy (Men’s Young Player): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, 18)

• Kopa Trophy (Women’s Young Player): Vicky Lopez (Barcelona)

• Socrates Award: Xana Fundacion, set up in memory of Luis Enrique’s late daughter, for humanitarian work

Men’s Ballon d’Or Top 10

1. Ousmane Dembele (France, PSG)

2. Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)

3. Vitinha (Portugal, PSG)

4. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)

5. Raphinha (Brazil, Barcelona)

6. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, PSG)

7. Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)

8. Cole Palmer (England, Chelsea)

9. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, PSG/Man City)

10. Nuno Mendes (Portugal, PSG)

Women’s Ballon d’Or Top 10

1. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)

2. Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Arsenal)

3. Alessia Russo (England, Arsenal)

4. Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)

5. Chloe Kelly (England, Man City/Arsenal)

6. Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)

7. Leah Williamson (England, Arsenal)

8. Ewa Pajor (Poland, Barcelona)

9. Lucy Bronze (England, Chelsea)

10. Hannah Hampton (England, Chelsea)