Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona Women’s Aitana Bonmatí and the Spanish giant’s Men’s young superstar, Lamine Yamal were among the winners at the mega Ballon d'Or awards ceremony.
Taking place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, also in the conversation in the Men’s category were the likes of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah and Yamal’s Barca teammate, Brazil’s Raphinha. In one of the more anticipated editions in recent times, unlike other years, there was a considerable level of uncertainty among onlookers on which player was going to win the prestigious award.
Other awards that were part of the ceremony, apart from the 2025 Ballon d’Or, include the best goalkeeper award, the best young player award and the top goalscorer of the year. So, following a fantastic 2024-25 campaign for the 28-year-old winger, Dembele, who scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists for the UEFA Champions League winners last season, was always going to come out on top in the votes, with the club also winning the Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions.
Meanwhile, Span’s women’s superstar, Aitana Bonmati was, equally, always going to take the spoils in the women’s section last night. Staying with the Iberian country, Barca’s teen sensation Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, Arsenal's summer signing Viktor Gyokeres took home the Gerd Muller Trophy, while England manager Sarina Wiegman won the Women's Coach of the Year.
Speaking after clinching her third consecutive Ballon d'Or, Bonmati said: "My third time in a row here, and I still can't believe it.
“Thank you to France Football. This is incredible.
"Also to receive it from the hands of Andres Iniesta, one of my idols since I was little, alongside Xavi. I owe Barcelona everything, this is the club of my life.
“I hope to represent this badge for many more years." Joined on stage by his mother just moments after he broke down in tears with his award, Dembele said: This is one of the best things I have accomplished in my career.
"I want to also thank all the staff at PSG, my coach Luis Enrique has been amazing with me and has been the most important of my career. My team-mates have been with me in the bad moments and the good moments, so this is for all of us to win."
"Also, winning this trophy from Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is truly amazing.”
The Ballon d’Or winners are:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembele
- Women's Ballon d'Or: Aitana Bonmatí
- Socrates Award: Xana Foundation
- Men's Club of the Year: Paris St-Germain
- Women's Club of the Year: Arsenal
- Gerd Müller Trophies: Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyokeres
- Men's Yashin Trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Women's Yahsin Trophy: Hannah Hampton
- Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy: Luis Enrique
- Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy: Sarina Wiegman
- Men's Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal
- Women's Kopa Trophy: Vicky Lopez
