Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele capped off a dazzling season on Monday night by winning his first Ballon d’Or, cementing his place among football’s elite after firing the French giants to a historic treble.
The 28-year-old France international was the star of PSG’s 2024/25 campaign, scoring 35 goals and providing 14 assists in 53 appearances as the club clinched the Champions League, Ligue 1 title, and Coupe de France.
His exploits also carried PSG to the FIFA Club World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Chelsea in New Jersey.
Dembele’s consistency and flair made him joint top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals, while he swept individual honours as French top flight Player of the Year and UEFA Champions League Player of the Year.
The forward pipped Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to the coveted Ballon d’Or, with the announcement sparking emotional scenes inside the Paris ceremony hall. Despite PSG’s league fixture against Marseille being rescheduled for the same evening, Dembele—currently sidelined by injury—was able to attend the gala, where he broke down in tears as he accepted the award.
Flanked by his mother on stage, Dembele delivered a heartfelt speech, paying tribute to his family’s sacrifices and reflecting on the rollercoaster journey that brought him to football’s highest individual honour.
