Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a glittering ceremony at Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet, Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí were named the 2025 Ballon d’Or winners, solidifying their places among the footballing elite in a night full of emotion, records, and reflection.
The 69th edition of the Ballon d’Or awards, presented annually by France Football, once again celebrated the finest talents across global football, with Dembélé and Bonmatí taking home the top honors in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Dembélé: From Injuries to Immortality
At 28, Ousmane Dembélé’s journey to football’s most prestigious individual award has been anything but straightforward. Once plagued by injuries and inconsistency, the French winger has enjoyed a spectacular career renaissance at Paris Saint-Germain, culminating in a treble-winning season in 2024–25, a historic feat for the club.
Dembélé was named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season after spearheading PSG’s maiden European title. He finished the campaign with an astonishing 37 goals and 15 assists, contributing heavily to the club’s Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France triumph.
In winning the Ballon d’Or, Dembélé edged out 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, whose breakout season at Barcelona had many tipping him for the prize. PSG teammate Vitinha was also among the finalists.
Dembélé becomes the first Frenchman to win the award since Karim Benzema in 2022.
Bonmatí Makes History With Third Consecutive Win
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmatí once again etched her name into football history. The Barcelona midfielder claimed her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin, becoming the first player male or female to win the award three times in a row.
Bonmatí was instrumental in another dominant domestic campaign for Barcelona, which won a fifth straight Liga F title and reached the Champions League final, where they fell to Arsenal.
She beat fellow Spaniard and Barça teammate Mariona Caldentey to the top prize, reinforcing her status as the best midfielder in the women’s game.
Youth Talent and Coaching Excellence Also Honored
Rising stars and coaching masterminds were also recognized:
- Vicky López (Barcelona/Spain), 19, won the Women’s Kopa Trophy (best young player), after a standout campaign with 11 goals and 3 assists, and an impressive start to the new season.
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain) claimed the Men’s Kopa Trophy, capping off a meteoric rise in global football.
- Mary Earps’ successor, Hannah Hampton (Chelsea/England), won the Women’s Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy) secured the Men’s Yashin Trophy for his commanding presence during PSG’s treble-winning run.
- Sarina Wiegman (England) and Luis Enrique (PSG) shared the Johan Cruyff Trophy for best coaches, in women’s and men’s football respectively.
- Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg/Poland) and Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP/Sweden) won the Gerd Müller Trophy for top scorers.
- Arsenal Women and Paris Saint-Germain Men were named Clubs of the Year.
Global Significance and UEFA Collaboration
The 2025 ceremony marked the second time that UEFA co-organized the event alongside Groupe Amaury, the parent company of France Football and L’Équipe, underscoring the growing collaboration between major governing bodies in football.
With heightened global attention on the Ballon d’Or, the awards served not only as recognition of individual brilliance, but as a celebration of the sport’s evolution — from the rise of new stars like Yamal and López, to the enduring excellence of veterans like Bonmatí and Dembélé.
Live Reaction and Global Praise
Footballers, pundits, and fans flooded social media with reactions to the results:
- PSG called Dembélé’s win “a crowning moment for a relentless warrior.”
- Barcelona congratulated Bonmatí and López, declaring it a “historic night for Barça and Spain.”
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino, present at the ceremony, praised the winners for “embodying the spirit and values of world football.”
As the lights dimmed in Paris, the legacy of the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony became clear: a celebration of resilience, excellence, and a changing of the guard but with a deep respect for the past.
Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí now stand atop the football world, a testament to what talent, perseverance, and leadership can achieve.
