The grand occasion took place on September 22, 2025, at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris. The most elite individual award in football, the Ballon d’Or, was awarded to two greatest-ever legends: Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí. Both controlled the season of 2024–25. The ceremony was a testament to their magnificence and a change in the monopoly of football. Fresh players stepped up to take their share of space on the world stage.
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembélé’s Season of a Lifetime
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé stunned the footballing world by securing his first-ever Ballon d’Or. He left Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland in his wake. Always known for his athleticism and technical ability, Dembélé’s career was plagued by injury and inconsistency—until the 2024-25 season.
Achievements:
- Goals & Assists: Total 35 goals and 16 assists
- Champions League Heroics: 8 goals and 6 assists, two of which were in the final versus Inter Milan
- Domestic Dominance: Played a part in PSG’s treble—Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and their inaugural UEFA Champions League title
- Euro 2024 Impact: Was a key factor in France’s deep tournament run
Dembélé’s evolution from wasteful attack force to lethal strike force in the management of manager Luis Enrique was at the centre of PSG’s victory. His domineering performance in derbies earned him a spot in the Team of the Year and won him admiration with grand encomia from fans and critics.
Salvaging Brazilian legend Ronaldinho’s honour, Dembélé openly wept, summoning his mother to the stage. “I did not want to cry, but the moment I began talking about my family, it came out and I could not help it,” he explained.
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí Makes History
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí is the queen of women’s football as she won her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin. She has become the most powerful midfielder in the sport with her technical prowess, consistency, and captaincy.
Season Highlights:
- Domestic Treble: Guided Barcelona to Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and Spanish Super Cup titles
- Champions League Finalist: Played all their matches on their way to the final
- EURO 2025 Performance: Slipped after final defeat by England as Spain’s most impressive performer in the tournament
Bonmatí’s third victory puts her on a par with idols Marta and Ada Hegerberg when it comes to consistency near the top. Her talent to dictate the rhythm of the game, beat defences, and perform under duress has made her a legend among aspiring players worldwide.
Other Big Winners
The 2025 Ballon d’Or awards also gave recognition for the following awards:
| Award | Winner | Club / Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain / France |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | Aitana Bonmatí | Barcelona / Spain |
| Kopa Trophy (U21 Men) | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona / Spain |
| Women’s Kopa Trophy | Vicky López | Barcelona / Spain |
| Yashin Trophy (Men) | Gianluigi Donnarumma | PSG / Italy |
| Women’s Yashin Trophy | Hannah Hampton | Chelsea / England |
| Gerd Müller Trophy (Men) | Viktor Gyökeres | Sporting CP / Arsenal |
| Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy | Ewa Pajor | Barcelona / Poland |
| Men’s Coach of the Year | Luis Enrique | PSG / Spain |
| Women’s Coach of the Year | Sarina Wiegman | England |
| Men’s Club of the Year | Paris Saint-Germain | France |
| Women’s Club of the Year | Arsenal WFC | England |
| Socrates Award | Fundación Xana | Spain |
A New Era in Football
Dembélé’s win marks the end of the Messi-Ronaldo era and the start of a new generation of skilled playmakers. His win is the sixth Frenchman to taken home the Ballon d’Or. He is the fourth Frenchman to break this record, following Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.
Bonmatí’s steady dominance is symptomatic of the increasing power and status of women’s football. Her victory, and youth such as Yamal and López, are symptomatic of Barcelona’s masculine youth culture.
Fan Reactions and Cultural Significance
Social media went into overdrive with Dembélé’s victory. The #DembeleBallonDor topic trended on the world’s internet, with his comeback tale fascinating fans. “From injury-prone to world’s best—what a journey!” commented a fan in a post.
Bonmatí’s third trophy initiated the debate about her legacy. “She’s not only winning—she’s rewriting the script of a midfielder,” observed a Spanish television commentator.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 World Cup dawns, Bonmatí and Dembélé will become legends for both nations. PSG hegemony and Barcelona youth revolution make next year’s awards perhaps stand aside to pave the way for old darlings—or some surprise runners-up.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or awards celebrated more than the winners. They celebrated the determination, the disruption, and the football development across the world. From Paris to the field, there was a message: greatness comes in many forms, and football’s future has never been brighter.
