Ballon d'Or 2025: Ousmane Dembele Takes Men's Crown as Lionesses Shine

Dembele's Triumph and What It Means

When the glittering Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony wrapped up, PSG winger Ousmane Dembele was the name on everyone’s lips. The French forward, who has been a key figure in Paris Saint‑Germain’s attacking play this season, clinched the men’s award after a close vote that saw him edge out his rivals by a handful of points. His blend of speed, dribbling, and clutch goals in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League finally earned him the recognition many thought was overdue.

Fans and pundits alike praised his consistency: 22 goals, 15 assists, and a handful of match‑winning performances that helped PSG secure the domestic double. For Dembele, the trophy isn’t just personal glory—it’s a statement that the league’s top talent can compete with the traditional powerhouses from Spain and England.

Lionesses, Arsenal and Aitana Bonmati Light Up the Night

The women’s side of the ceremony was a celebration of England’s Lionesses. Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton all finished inside the top ten of their category, underscoring the depth of the national team’s talent pool. Kelly’s spectacular strike in the recent Euro semi‑final and Bronze’s defensive mastery were frequently mentioned by the voters.

Arsenal’s presence was unmistakable. The club had nominees across three different awards, and while none took home the top prize, the spread of nominations highlighted the North London side’s growing influence in both the men’s and women’s games. Young midfielder Calum Chambers, who made a breakthrough this season, was among the nominees for the Best Young Player award.

Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati also walked away with a major trophy, adding to her growing list of individual accolades. Her leadership at both club and country level, combined with an impressive goal tally for a midfielder, made her a fan favourite during the ceremony.

Overall, the 2025 Ballon d'Or night reinforced a shifting landscape in world football: an emerging French star, a dominant English women’s team, and clubs like Arsenal making their mark on the global stage. Ballon d'Or 2025 will be remembered as a night where talent from across the continent finally got its due.