📷 - @ballondorofficial
Written by Amy Tuscher
The world of football turned its eyes to the Theatre du Chatelet last night for the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, a night of triumph and history-making. A new generation of stars, alongside established legends, were honoured for their incredible seasons.
The evening was dominated by two standout performers who took home the night's most prestigious honours: Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí.
📷 - @ballondorofficial
Ousmane Dembélé: The Architect of PSG's Treble
For years, the football world has been waiting for Dembélé to fully realise his immense talent. The 2024-2025 season was the year it all came together, as he became the central figure in Paris Saint-Germain's historic run to the treble.
Dembélé's season was a masterclass in attacking versatility. Deployed across the front line, he proved to be unplayable for many of the world's best defenders.
His stats for the season are simply staggering:
* 35 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. This includes a phenomenal 21 goals in Ligue 1 and a crucial 8 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
* He was directly involved in over 50 goals, a testament to his consistent threat and productivity.
* In the Champions League, Dembélé was particularly unstoppable, scoring or assisting in six consecutive knockout-stage matches. He was the driving force behind PSG's first-ever European title, providing two assists in the final and scoring a crucial goal in the semifinal first leg.
More than just the numbers, Dembélé's game was defined by his breathtaking dribbling, often leaving defenders in his wake, and his improved decision-making in the final third. He was the creative engine that powered PSG's attack, and his ability to perform on the biggest stage cemented his status as the best male player in the world.
📷 - @ballondorofficial
Aitana Bonmatí: A Three Peat Champion
Aitana Bonmatí's third consecutive Ballon d'Or Féminin is a landmark achievement, solidifying her place as one of the greatest female footballers of all time. While Barcelona fell just short of a Champions League title, her individual season was nothing short of legendary.
Bonmatí's influence on the pitch is difficult to overstate. She is the heart of Barcelona's midfield, seamlessly transitioning from defence to attack.
Her key stats from the 2024-2025 campaign highlight her all-around excellence:
* 16 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. This included 12 goals in the league and 3 in the Champions League.
* She was named the UEFA Women's Champions League Player of the Season for the third year in a row, a historic feat that speaks volumes about her consistent high-level performance.
* Her passing accuracy was a near-flawless 89%, showcasing her incredible control and vision.
Beyond her club success, Bonmatí was a key player for Spain at the Women's EURO 2025. Despite a difficult tournament preparation, she was named Player of the Tournament and scored a vital winning goal in the semifinal. Her ability to lead her team, both with her technical skill and her tireless work ethic, is what separates her from her peers. Bonmatí's third Ballon d'Or is not just a personal honour, but a symbol of her enduring dominance in the women's game.
📷 - @fabriziorom
The Stars of Tomorrow and the Guardians of the Goal
The ceremony also celebrated the future of the sport. The Kopa Trophy for the best young male player was won by Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who had an explosive season that saw him become a central figure for both club and country. The women's equivalent, the newly introduced Women's Kopa Trophy, went to his Barcelona teammate, Vicky López, highlighting the Spanish club's incredible talent pipeline.
The goalkeeping awards, the Yashin Trophies, saw new faces at the top. Former PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma secured the men's award after a season of heroic saves and crucial performances in PSG's title-winning campaign. Meanwhile, the inaugural Women's Yashin Trophy was awarded to Chelsea's Hannah Hampton, whose stellar performances for club and country earned her the recognition as the best female goalkeeper in the world.
Coaching Excellence and Goal-Scoring Kings
Managerial masterminds were also honoured, with the Johan Cruyff Trophies going to Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman. Enrique, fresh off leading PSG to their historic treble, was recognised for his tactical genius. Wiegman, celebrated her win as manager of the England women's national team, was also honoured for guiding the Lionesses to their second consecutive Euros title.
The Gerd Müller Trophies, celebrating the top scorers, were shared between Viktor Gyökeres and Ewa Pajor. Gyökeres, now with Arsenal, was rewarded for his prolific goal-scoring for Sporting CP, while Pajor's incredible season with Barcelona saw her take home the women's award.
The night concluded with the recognition of two clubs that have defined the past season: Paris Saint-Germain as the Men's Club of the Year and Arsenal as the Women's Club of the Year. The Socrates Award, which recognises players for their charitable work, was given to the Xana Foundation, a charity created by Luis Enrique in memory of his late daughter.
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