In 2025, the most prestigious awards in world football recognised the standout performers of the 2024–25 season. At the annual ceremony of the Ballon d’Or, held on 22 September 2025, the top honours — for men’s and women’s players — went to Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí respectively. Dembélé’s stellar campaign with Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG) earned him the Men’s Ballon d’Or, while Bonmatí extended her dominance in women’s football by winning the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the third straight year. Other awards presented that evening included trophies for the best young players, best goalkeepers, top scorer recognition, and honours for coaches and clubs.
This article explores what the 2025 Ballon d’Or results reflect about world football, why Dembélé and Bonmatí won, what their success tells us about modern football, and what fans and aspiring players can learn from their achievements.
What Is the Ballon d’Or — Definition and Significance
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award created by the French magazine France Football in 1956. It aims to crown the best male and female footballers in the world for their performances over the preceding season. Over decades, the Ballon d’Or has become the most prestigious individual honour in football, akin to the Oscars in cinema or the Grammys in music.
From 2022 onwards, separate awards are given for men’s and women’s football — the Ballon d’Or for men, and the Ballon d’Or Féminin for women — alongside additional awards such as the Kopa Trophy (best under-21 player), the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), the Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer), and yearly honours for clubs and coaches.
The 2025 edition was the 69th ceremony in the history of the award. The timeframe evaluated was the 2024–25 season for men and up to August 2025 for women.
Winning a Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as the pinnacle of individual achievement in football. It reflects consistent excellence across league, domestic cup, continental and international competitions, and often signals a player’s global standing, influence, and legacy in the sport.
2025 Ballon d’Or — Who Won and Why
Ousmane Dembélé: 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or Winner
In 2025, Ousmane Dembélé secured the Men’s Ballon d’Or after a remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain. He was instrumental in PSG’s historic treble: domestic league, domestic cup, and for the first time in club history, the UEFA Champions League. His transformation under coach Luis Enrique — being deployed more centrally as a striker — proved to be a masterstroke.
Across all competitions in 2024–25, Dembélé scored around 35 goals and provided 16 assists in 53 appearances. In Ligue 1 alone, he finished as joint top scorer with 21 goals in 29 matches. His consistent high-level performances, clutch goals, and ability to deliver in big matches elevated his status. The combination of individual statistics and collective success made his Ballon d’Or win a fitting recognition.
At the ceremony, Dembélé was visibly emotional. He credited his teammates, club staff, the coach, and supporters for helping him achieve the honour — emphasising that while the trophy is individual, success comes from the team.
Aitana Bonmatí: 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or Winner
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona Femení won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the third consecutive year. Her sustained excellence, playmaking ability, goal contributions, and influence on the pitch have set a benchmark in women’s football.
In the 2024–25 season, she maintained extraordinary consistency for both club and country, featuring prominently in all major matches, contributing both in domestic competitions and European tournaments. Her third straight Ballon d’Or cemented her legacy, making her one of just a handful of footballers (male or female) to achieve a hat-trick of Ballons d’Or.
Other Major 2025 Awards
Beyond the main individual prizes, the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony honoured several other outstanding performers and contributors:
Kopa Trophy (Men): awarded to the standout young male under-21 player of the season — Lamine Yamal won this award, reflecting his meteoric rise and influence despite his youth.
Yashin Trophy (Men): awarded to the best goalkeeper of the year — Gianluigi Donnarumma claimed this after impressive performances, including key saves and strong showings with his club.
Gerd Müller Trophy: awarded to the top scorer of the season — Viktor Gyökeres earned this distinction.
Women’s Kopa Trophy: awarded to best under-21 female player — Vicky López took home this first-ever women’s Kopa Trophy.
Coach and Club Awards: Recognitions were also given to coaches and clubs that excelled over the season, underlining the fact that football is both individual and collective in nature.
What 2025’s Results Reveal — Trends and Analysis
Resurgence and Reinvention
Dembélé’s win shows that even for players who have faced setbacks — injuries, inconsistent form, criticism — reinvention and hard work can pay off. His switch from winger to central striker, improved fitness and discipline, and renewed commitment illustrate how career-defining transformations are possible.
For fans and aspiring players, this highlights the value of adaptability. A change in role, mindset or approach — especially when backed by a strong supporting environment — can unlock potential.
Growth and Recognition of Women’s Football
Aitana Bonmatí’s third consecutive Ballon d’Or demonstrates the growing parity, visibility, and competitiveness of women’s football. Her success underlines that women’s football is no longer second fiddle; top players deserve — and receive — the same accolades as men.
The introduction and growing prominence of awards such as the women’s Kopa Trophy and Yashin Trophy point to a trend of increased investment, attention, and institutional respect for women’s football. This is encouraging for grassroots development, young players, and equality in the sport overall.
Youth Breakthroughs Matter
The fact that Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy shows how important youth development and early trust are. At just 18, he already commands respect among football’s elite. His recognition suggests that clubs and national teams are increasingly willing to back talented youngsters in key roles — a trend likely to continue.
For young aspirants, this emphasises that age is no longer a barrier if performance, attitude, and potential are evident.
Collective Success Amplifies Individual Awards
Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or was not just about personal stats; it was deeply tied to PSG’s triumphant season overall. Success in the domestic league, domestic cup, and Europe mattered greatly. Similarly, Bonmatí’s consistency at club and national level boosted her standing.
This underlines a vital insight: while individual brilliance is necessary, football remains a team sport. Awards often reflect collective achievements as much as personal excellence.
Real-Life Lessons Derived from 2025 Ballon d’Or
For Fans and Young Players
Watching the 2025 Ballon d’Or can be more than entertainment — it can be instructive.
Resilience matters: Dembélé’s journey shows that a career downturn doesn’t mean the end. With hard work, focus, and the right environment, players can bounce back stronger.
Versatility can extend careers: Changing playing positions or roles — as Dembélé did — can reignite careers and provide new paths.
Investment in women’s football is bearing fruit: Bonmatí’s success reinforces the growing quality and competitiveness of the women’s game. It can inspire young girls to aim high and expect recognition.
Youth is valued: Lamine Yamal’s success hints that clubs and coaches are more willing to trust and invest in young talent, encouraging younger players to believe in early breakthroughs.
Teamwork is essential: Both main winners emphasised teammates and collective effort — success at the top often depends on more than individual talent.
For Coaches, Clubs, and Stakeholders
The 2025 results offer several strategic insights for clubs, academies, and coaches:
Supporting player development through role adaptation can yield long-term dividends.
Investing in youth development and giving game time to young prospects can produce breakthroughs.
Cultivating a professional environment — fitness, discipline, support staff — benefits long-term performance.
Promoting and investing in women’s football is not only socially important but also commercially and competitively viable.
Recognising and rewarding collective achievements as well as individual excellence helps build strong team cultures.
FAQs
Who won the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or?
Ousmane Dembélé was awarded the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or after a sensational 2024–25 season with Paris Saint-Germain, in which he played a key role in winning the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title along with domestic success.
Who won the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or?
Aitana Bonmatí won the 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin, marking her third consecutive Ballon d’Or — a feat few in football history (male or female) have achieved.
What other major awards were given at the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
In addition to the main men’s and women’s awards, the 2025 ceremony awarded the Kopa Trophy (for best under-21 players), Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer), as well as honours for coaches and clubs. Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy; Vicky López won the women’s Kopa Trophy; Gianluigi Donnarumma took the men’s Yashin Trophy; Viktor Gyökeres won the Gerd Müller Trophy.
Why did Dembélé win rather than other top candidates like Lamine Yamal?
Although young talents like Lamine Yamal had outstanding years, Dembélé’s combination of personal output (goals and assists), consistent performance across all competitions, and contribution to PSG’s historic treble — especially their first Champions League victory — gave him the edge. The Ballon d’Or often rewards both individual and team success together.
What does the 2025 Ballon d’Or say about the future of football?
The results highlight several ongoing trends: the growing importance of player versatility and adaptability; increased investment and recognition in women’s football; rising trust in young talents; and a reaffirmation that team success amplifies individual achievements. For young players, coaches, and stakeholders, it underscores that excellence now depends on holistic development, not just raw talent.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Ballon d’Or celebrated both peak performance and transformation. Ousmane Dembélé’s journey from a talented yet inconsistent winger to a world-class striker and club hero shows the power of resilience, adaptability, and right circumstances. Aitana Bonmatí’s continued dominance in women’s football underscores how elite, competitive, and recognised the women’s game has become.
Beyond individual glory, the 2025 awards highlight broader shifts in global football — greater parity, emphasis on team performance, investment in youth and women’s football, and an evolving definition of what greatness means in modern sport. For aspiring players, coaches, fans, and stakeholders, the message is clear: talent remains vital, but evolution, consistency, discipline, and collective success now matter more than ever.
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