2025 Ballon d’Or Winners – Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí

The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony took centre stage on 22 September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, once again uniting football’s brightest stars under one roof for the sport’s most prestigious individual prizes. Since its creation in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has honoured the players who define generations — and this year, two outstanding names joined that exclusive club: Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí.

Ousmane Dembélé: A First Ballon d’Or for PSG’s Spark

For years, Ousmane Dembélé has been known as one of football’s most dazzling wingers — capable of moments of brilliance that leave defenders helpless. In 2024/25, however, he elevated himself to new heights, becoming the decisive figure in Paris Saint-Germain’s most historic campaign.

From key goals in the Champions League knockout rounds to tireless consistency in Ligue 1, Dembélé embodied PSG’s relentless push for silverware. The result was a season that delivered a domestic double, the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph, and the UEFA Super Cup.

His Ballon d’Or victory came after edging out young Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, whose breakthrough year was recognised with the Kopa Trophy. For Dembélé, this award is the culmination of a career defined by resilience and reinvention. Long praised for his raw talent but sometimes questioned over consistency, he silenced critics with a year of sustained excellence.

The French international now stands not just as PSG’s talisman, but as the world’s best player in 2025.

Aitana Bonmatí: Three in a Row for Barcelona’s Maestro

While Dembélé claimed his first crown, Aitana Bonmatí added yet another layer to her growing legacy by winning the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third consecutive year — an unprecedented feat in the modern game.

At only 27 years old, Bonmatí has already built a CV that places her alongside the sport’s all-time greats: a World Cup winner, three-time UEFA Champions League champion, and now a three-time Ballon d’Or recipient. Her 2024/25 season once again showcased her complete skill set: unrivalled vision, precision passing, tireless pressing, and an ability to dictate games from midfield like no other.

She was the heartbeat of Barcelona’s domestic and European success, while also continuing to deliver on the international stage for Spain. In matches that mattered most, Bonmatí consistently produced — whether threading the killer pass or dictating the tempo against the toughest opponents.

Her third straight Ballon d’Or not only highlights her dominance today but also sets her apart historically, making her the first woman to achieve such a streak. In the process, she has become the defining player of her generation and the benchmark for those who follow.

The Legacy of 2025

Together, Dembélé and Bonmatí’s triumphs tell the story of a season where Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona stamped their authority on both men’s and women’s football. Their victories underline how the Ballon d’Or continues to celebrate more than just statistics — it honours leadership, influence, and the ability to deliver when it matters most.

For Dembélé, this year marks the realisation of a long-promised potential and the ultimate personal accolade. For Bonmatí, it is confirmation of her place in the pantheon of the sport’s greatest ever players.

As the golden trophies were raised in Paris, the message was clear: 2025 belongs to Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí — two players who turned brilliance into history.

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