Dembélé, Bonmatí crowned at 2025 Ballon d’Or
Football
The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on 22 September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where football\'s biggest stars gathered for the sport’s most prestigious awards.Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé was crowned the winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or after a stellar season in which he led PSG to Champions League glory. The 28-year-old France forward beat Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal to the top prize, receiving football’s most illustrious individual honour from Ronaldinho to loud cheers at the Theatre du Châtelet. Dembélé was visibly emotional during his acceptance speech, breaking down in tears as he thanked his mother, who joined him on stage. He becomes the first French player to win the award while playing in Ligue 1 since Jean-Pierre Papin in 1991.
On the women’s side, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí claimed the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the third consecutive year, beating Mariona Caldentey and England’s Alessia Russo. Despite Spain losing to England in the Euro 2025 final and Barcelona falling to Arsenal in the Champions League final, Bonmatí’s quality was undeniable. She was named the best player at both the Euros and the Champions League last season, making her the first player to win the women’s award three times since its creation in 2018.
Other highlights of the evening included Sarina Wiegman receiving the women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy after guiding England to their second consecutive Euros title, while Hannah Hampton was awarded the inaugural Yashin Trophy for the best women’s goalkeeper. Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, though missing out on the men’s top prize, collected the Kopa Trophy for the best young player for the second year running. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal were named men’s and women’s clubs of the year, respectively.
The ceremony reflected the dominance of PSG and Barcelona across European football last season, while also celebrating the rise of the women’s game and young talent. For Dembélé and Bonmatí, Monday night in Paris cemented their places in football history, not just as outstanding performers of the past year, but as standard-bearers for the next generation.
Other major winners
Socrates Award: Xana Foundation
Gerd Müller Trophies: Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyökeres
Men’s Yashin Trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Luis Enrique
Women’s Kopa Trophy: Vicky López