The 2025 Ballon d’Or: A Night of Glory, Surprises, and Emotional Tributes
It was a night of high emotion, dazzling achievements, and spirited debates, as the best players, coaches, and clubs were crowned for their performances over the past year. Dembélé and Bonmatí Take the Top Prizes. The headline winners of the night were Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí. Dembélé, whose career has been marked by both brilliance and setbacks, finally reached the pinnacle by securing his first Ballon d’Or after a phenomenal season with
Paris Saint-Germain. His consistency, creativity, and crucial role in PSG’s Champions League triumph silenced critics and gave France another reason to celebrate. On the women’s side, Bonmatí made history by claiming her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin, cementing her status as one of the greatest midfielders of her generation.
Her dominance for Barcelona and Spain has made her the face of excellence in the women’s game, and her win was greeted with overwhelming approval from fans and pundits alike. Beyond the Top Prize: Other Winners of the Night
The Ballon d’Or is never just about the main trophy, and this year’s ceremony highlighted a wide range of talent across categories. Rising star Lamine Yamal once again walked away with the Kopa Trophy for Men’s Young Player of the Year, while Vicky López took home the Women’s Kopa Trophy.
In goalkeeping, Gianluigi Donnarumma was awarded the Yashin Trophy for best male goalkeeper, with Hannah Hampton winning the women’s equivalent. The goalscoring machines were also celebrated, with Viktor Gyökeres earning the Gerd Müller Trophy for top male scorer and Ewa Pajor taking home the women’s version.
The coaching accolades went to Luis Enrique, recognized as Men’s Coach of the Year for guiding PSG to historic success, and Sarina Wiegman, who continues to redefine women’s football with her tactical brilliance. As for clubs, PSG was crowned Men’s Club of the Year, while Arsenal claimed the title on the women’s side.
Reactions from the Footballing World
One of the most touching aspects of the night was the wave of support and admiration directed at the winners. Lionel Messi, who shared a special connection with Dembélé during their time at Barcelona, congratulated him warmly: “Grande Ous!!! Congratulations, I’m so happy for you. You deserve it.” The gesture clearly moved Dembélé, who acknowledged Messi’s message with emotion.
Former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé also celebrated the victory, calling it a moment of joy for French football: “It’s the emotions my brother! You deserve it x1000.” Even Lamine Yamal, who narrowly lost out to Dembélé, showed remarkable humility by being among the first to congratulate him on stage. His reaction, gracious and supportive, quickly went viral as fans admired his maturity. Meanwhile, former and current French stars such as Karim Benzema, Presnel Kimpembe, and Désiré Doué joined in with messages of praise across social media, showcasing the unity and pride surrounding French football.
A Ceremony to Remember
The 2025 Ballon d’Or was more than a glittering night of trophies. It was a celebration of perseverance, sportsmanship, and the power of football to inspire. Dembélé’s redemption arc, Bonmatí’s continued dominance, and the rise of the next generation made this year’s edition one of the most memorable in recent history.