PSG’s Dembele Wins Ballon d’Or, Marking a Triumph for French Football

Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain was awarded the 2025 Ballon d’Or in Paris on Monday. His win follows a season in which the team clinched the UEFA Champions League. The 28-year-old beat out Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and teammate Vitinha. This award is a career highlight for Dembele, who has long been recognized for his outstanding talent, despite injury setbacks. In the 2024–25 season, he rose to the occasion, guiding PSG to a historic treble with key performances, particularly in important European games. Dembele’s exceptional play and decisive contributions were key factors for the Ballon d’Or voters. He also won the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season award. The victory is also a pivotal moment for PSG, establishing their dominance in European football after previous near misses. The Ballon d’Or also highlighted a generational shift, with 18-year-old Lamine Yamal taking second place, a testament to Barcelona’s youth development program. Yamal also won the Kopa Trophy. Vitinha’s third-place finish underscored the club’s overall strength in a memorable season.