Dembele, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the French national team, took home the men’s prize after helping PSG win a historic treble, including their first-ever Champions League title.
Barcelona’s 18-year-old star Lamine Yamal, who also won the award for best young player, finished second.
The PSG forward, who is currently injured, attended the ceremony instead of playing in his side’s rescheduled league game against Marseille, which they lost 1-0.
Dembele was visibly emotional as he collected his trophy in front of a crowd that chanted his name. His mother joined him on stage as he gave a heartfelt speech.
“What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG,” said an emotional Dembele.
“I feel a bit of stress, it’s not easy to win this trophy, and to have it presented to me by Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is exceptional.
“I want to thank PSG who came to get me in 2023. It’s an incredible family. The president Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] is like a father to me. I also want to thank all the staff and the coach, who have been exceptional with me – he too is like a father – and all my team-mates.
“We have practically won everything together. You supported me in the good and the difficult times. This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively.”
The award caps off a remarkable comeback for Dembele, who had not scored more than ten league goals in a season since his teenage years at Rennes.
In the women’s category, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati claimed her third straight Ballon d’Or, becoming the first woman to do so. Only Lionel Messi and Michel Platini have matched that streak in the men’s game.
“It’s incredible this feeling. I never thought when I was a kid that I could achieve this because I didn’t think women’s football can exist,” Bonmati said.
“I had idols like Andres Iniesta and Xavi and when I was a kid I only saw them on TV. It’s incredible to be here and make history.
“But all of these trophies are because of collective work. We had a difficult season because we won some trophies, but we also lost some to amazing footballers.”
Arsenal and England striker Alessia Russo, who beat Bonmati in both the Champions League and European Championship finals, finished third. Russo’s club teammate and fellow Spaniard Mariona Caldentey came second.
In the coaching categories, Sarina Wiegman was named best women’s coach after guiding England to victory over Spain in Switzerland, while PSG manager Luis Enrique received the men’s Johan Cruyff award.
England and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was honored with the first-ever women’s Yashin Trophy after replacing Mary Earps as England’s No. 1. Earps, who retired from international football just weeks before the Euros, was the one who handed her the award on stage. On the men’s side, PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma won his second Yashin Trophy.
Club awards went to Arsenal’s women and PSG’s men following their Champions League triumphs.
Other major winners included Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, whose 63 goals for club and country earned him the men’s Gerd Müller Trophy, while Barcelona’s Polish forward Ewa Pajor claimed the women’s version with 48 goals.
KanyiDaily recalls that Nigeria’s Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justine Madugu were both nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
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