Paris came alive on Monday night as Ousmane Dembele fired his way into football history by lifting the 2025 Ballon d’Or, leaving Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in his wake — www.isagoal.com reports.
The French forward had an extraordinary second season at Paris Saint-Germain, smashing 35 goals and setting up 16 more across 53 appearances.
His brilliance powered PSG to another Ligue 1 crown, the Coupe de France, and most memorably, their very first UEFA Champions League trophy.
“When you’re young, you dream about being the best and winning everything,” Dembele said with emotion. “This Ballon d’Or is something truly exceptional.”
At 28, he joined an elite French group to have ever claimed the prize, standing alongside legends like Zidane, Platini, and Benzema.
Meanwhile in Barcelona, Aitana Bonmati made her own mark, winning the women’s Ballon d’Or for a third straight year after leading her club to a domestic treble.
She became only the third footballer ever to pull off such a streak, following Lionel Messi and Michel Platini.
Lamine Yamal, though edged out for the main prize, was honored with the Kopa Trophy as the best player under 21 after posting 18 goals and 25 assists.
Barcelona’s Vicky Lopez also claimed the women’s Kopa Trophy, while striker Ewa Pajor was crowned with the Gerd Muller Trophy after netting 43 times.
Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres won the men’s Gerd Muller honor, scoring 53 goals in a record-breaking season.
PSG’s dominance didn’t end with Dembele, as the club was crowned Men’s Club of the Year, and manager Luis Enrique walked away as Men’s Coach of the Year.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, now at Manchester City, scooped the Yashin Trophy after a stunning campaign with PSG.
Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton made history by winning the first-ever Women’s Yashin Trophy, while Arsenal was recognized as Women’s Club of the Year.
England’s Sarina Wiegman capped the night by taking home the Women’s Coach of the Year award.
