Ballon d’Or 2025 LIVE: Ousmane Dembele pays emotional tribute to his mother after winning top prize
Ousmane Dembele has been crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner ahead of Lamine Yamal
Ousmane Dembele has been crowned the winner of the Ballon d’Or after leading Paris Saint-Germain to Champions League glory last season. The 28-year-old France forward beat Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal to the top prize at the Paris ceremony, receiving football’s most illustrious individual honour from Ronaldinho to loud cheers and applause at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, and was emotional during his speech as he broke down into tears thanking his mum - who joined him on stage.
Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third year in a row, beating Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo to the top prize. Even though Spain lost out to England in the Euro 2025 final and Barcelona were beaten by Arsenal in the Champions League final, Bonmati’s quality shone through and the 27-year-old was named the best player at the Euros and in the Champions League last season. Bonmati is the first player to win the award three times since it was created in 2018.
Sarina Wiegman picked up the women’s Johan Cruyff trophy after leading England to their second consecutive Euros title, and her third in a row, while there was more success for the Lionesses as Hannah Hampton received the inaugural Yashin trophy for best women’s goalkeeper. Although missing out on the top prize, Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for best young player for the second year in row. PSG and Arsenal were named men’s and women’s clubs of the year, respectively.
Follow all the latest updates from the Ballon d’Or ceremony and find the winners of all the awards with our live blog below:
Sarina Wiegman: 'Let's keep uniting our beautiful game'
Sarina Wiegman, on accepting her award for best women’s team coach, had some lovely words to say about the man the award is in honour of.
The England manager said: “This award means even more because it is named after Johan Cruyff. He believed in the power of sport and believed in every kid having the opportunity to play, to grow and to belong, and that is why I feel so connected with him.
“I would like to say let's keep moving forward, keep uniting our beautiful game and enjoying our beautiful game too. Let's celebrate our successes too. And if Burna Boy's around, let's do some dancing too.”
The Dutchwoman was memorably surprised by her favourite artist Burna Boy during the Lionesses’ victory celebration in London after winning the Euros this summer.
Hannah Hampton pays tribute to ‘trailblazer’ Matt Beard at Ballon d’Or awards
Hannah Hampton paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Matt Beard after she won the inaugural Yashin Trophy award for best women’s goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Hampton saved two penalties in England’s Euro 2025 final triumph against Spain and was outstanding between the posts as the Lionesses defended their European crown in Switzerland.
Hannah Hampton pays tribute to ‘trailblazer’ Matt Beard at Ballon d’Or awards
Lionel Messi sends message to Ousmane Dembele after Ballon d’Or triumph
Lionel Messi has congratulated Ousmane Dembele on his Ballon d’Or success, telling the Paris Saint-Germain forward “you deserve it” after the Frenchman was presented with the prestigious prize.
Dembele edged out contenders including Lamine Yamal to secure the men’s Ballon d’Or after a fine season at PSG, helping the club to an elusive Champions League crown and another Ligue 1 title.
Lionel Messi sends message to Ousmane Dembele after Ballon d’Or triumph
Neymar hits out at Ballon d’Or results after Raphinha decision: ‘Too much of a joke’
Neymar has criticised the final ranking of the men’s Ballon d’Or and described Raphinha’s fifth-place finish as a “joke” after the Brazilian’s record-breaking Champions League campaign.
Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d’Or for the first time after leading Paris Saint-Germain to glory in the Champions League.
Neymar hits out at Ballon d’Or results after Raphinha decision: ‘Too much of a joke’
Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyokeres win Gerd Müller Trophy
Viktor Gyokeres thanks France Football, his former club Sporting for the “incredible memories created together”. He says it’s an “amazing feeling” to be standing on stage, “it’s a great recognition and an honour”, and he thanks his family.
“Now I start a new stage in my career at Arsenal, let’s create some special memories there together as well.”
Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyokeres win Gerd Müller Trophy
Pajor said when she was a little girl growing up in Poland she could never have imagined being at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
“This trophy belongs to our team, every day playing with you makes me a better player and it’s a privilege to be part of this amazing club,” she says of her Barcelona teammates.
She seems a little lost for words; “it’s not easy,” she jokes. She thanks her manager and her family for their support.
“I am proud to be part of women’s football, how we are growing, how we inspire little girls who can watch us in big stadiums, on the television, and have a better opportunity to develop,” she finishes.
Why the Ballon d’Or got it wrong
So now we fully transition from the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era, to a modern equivalent of Florian Albert or Allan Simonsen.
That isn’t to be disrespectful to two genuine greats, or the 47th different Ballon d’Or winner in Ousmane Dembele. He, like them, at least has a good argument to claim the award.
It’s just that, also like them, it doesn’t feel one of those victories that is going to be overly celebrated from the vantage point of history. There’s an element of trying to force present performances to fit something grander, to amplify it into something that fits.
Why the Ballon d’Or got it wrong
Emotional Ousmane Dembele breaks into tears thanking mum after winning Ballon d’Or
An emotional Ousmane Dembele broke into tears as he thanked his mum for supporting his career after winning the men’s Ballon d’Or in Paris.
Dembele received football’s most illustrious individual honour after leading Paris Saint-Germain to Champions League glory last season. The 28-year-old forward beat Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal to the top prize.
Emotional Ousmane Dembele breaks into tears thanking mum after winning Ballon d’Or
Final Ballon d'Or rankings
- Ousmane Dembele
- Lamine Yamal
- Vitinha
- Mohamed Salah
- Raphinha
- Achraf Hakimi
- Kylian Mbappe
- Cole Palmer
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Nuno Mendes
Full list of Ballon d'Or winners
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembele
Women's Ballon d'Or: Aitana Bonmatí
Socrates Award: Xana Foundation
Men's Club of the Year: Paris St-Germain
Women's Club of the Year: Arsenal
Gerd Müller Trophies - Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyokeres
Men's Yashin Trophy - Gianluigi Donnarumma
Women's Yahsin Trophy - Hannah Hampton
Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy - Luis Enrique
Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy - Sarina Wiegman
Men's Kopa Trophy - Lamine Yamal
Women's Kopa Trophy - Vicky Lopez
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