Dembélé named 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, ahead of Yamal

Ousmane Dembélé was named the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner on Monday night, capping a standout season that helped Paris Saint-Germain claim major trophies and placing the 28 year old among the game’s elite. The award was presented at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where Dembélé beat Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal to take football’s top individual prize.

Dembélé’s victory followed a campaign in which he played a central role in PSG’s trophy haul, including the club’s first UEFA Champions League. He finished the season with 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances, figures frequently cited by voters and commentators as underpinning his case. After accepting the trophy, an emotional Dembélé thanked teammates and coach Luis Enrique, saying "I really don't have the words. It was an incredible season with PSG" and describing the award as a collective achievement.

Lamine Yamal, 18, finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting but received the Kopa Trophy for the best young player for the second consecutive year. Yamal, who helped Barcelona to domestic success and starred for Spain, posted on social media after the ceremony, "God's plan is perfect. You have to climb to get to the top," and...