The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, held in Paris, saw Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí crowned as the world's best players in men's and women's football, respectively. The event, which took place on September 22, 2025, also recognized other outstanding achievements in the sport.

Ousmane Dembélé: A French Triumph

Ousmane Dembélé, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and France forward, secured the coveted Men's Ballon d'Or after a stellar 2024/25 season. The 28-year-old's contributions were instrumental in PSG's historic campaign, which saw them clinch their first UEFA Champions League title, along with the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France. Dembélé's impressive statistics of 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions underscored his pivotal role in the team's success.

Dembélé's victory marks him as the sixth French player to win the prestigious award, joining the ranks of Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema. He surpassed other strong contenders, including Barcelona's young talent, Lamine Yamal.

Aitana Bonmatí: A Historic Hat-Trick

Aitana Bonmatí, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder, etched her name in history by winning her third consecutive Women's Ballon d'Or. This remarkable achievement places her alongside Lionel Messi and Michel Platini as the only players to win the Golden Ball in three successive years.

Bonmatí's exceptional season included winning a domestic treble with Barcelona and playing a key role in their journey to the UEFA Women's Champions League final. She also starred in Spain's path to the EURO 2025 final, where they were defeated by England. In the semi-final, she scored a crucial goal in extra time to secure Spain's victory. Bonmatí had already been recognized as the world's best women's player in 2023 and 2024.

Other Award Winners

The Ballon d'Or ceremony also celebrated other outstanding achievements in football:

• Kopa Trophy (Best Young Player): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) won the Kopa Trophy for the second year in a row. Vicky López (Barcelona) won the inaugural Women's Kopa Trophy.
• Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) won the Men's Yashin Trophy. Hannah Hampton (Chelsea) won the Women's Yashin Trophy.
• Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer): Viktor Gyökeres and Ewa Pajor claimed the Gerd Müller Trophy.
• Men's Coach of the Year: Luis Enrique (PSG) received the Johan Cruyff Award as men's coach of the year.
• Women's Coach of the Year: Sarina Wiegman, coach of the England women's national team, was named best women's coach.
• Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain (men) and Arsenal (women) were recognized as the Clubs of the Year.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony, co-organized by UEFA and Groupe Amaury, continues to be a highlight in the football calendar, celebrating the sport's most exceptional talents and achievements.