French winger Ousmane Dembélé received the 2025 Ballon d’Or Monday in Paris, an annual France Football honor awarded to the world’s best footballer for outstanding individual performance and team success.
With the win, Dembélé beat competition from Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal and Brazilian forward Raphinha, and his teammate Achraf Hakimi.
The Paris Saint-Gemrain star who endured years of injury setbacks earlier in his career, the award is a major achievement following a remarkable season.
The Ballon d’Or has long been considered the highest individual honor in world football, previously dominated by icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or was awarded to Rodri, the Spanish midfielder from Manchester City.