The spotlight was firmly on Paris last night as football’s biggest stars gathered at the Théâtre du Châtelet for the 69th Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. It proved to be a historic evening for Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, with Ousmane Dembélé, Aitana Bonmatí, and Gianluigi Donnarumma all taking home top honours.
Dembele Creates History for PSG
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé claimed the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first PSG player to lift the prestigious award. The 28-year-old enjoyed a remarkable campaign, scoring 33 goals and providing 16 assists to guide the French giants to their maiden UEFA Champions League title and another Ligue 1 crown.
Presented the award by former winner Ronaldinho, Dembélé thanked his teammates, coaches, and clubs he has represented throughout his career. “The Ballon d’Or wasn’t a goal in my career but it’s exceptional to win. I worked for the team to win the Champions League, and to be thanked with a trophy like the Ballon d’Or makes me very happy tonight,” he said.
Bonmatí Completes Historic Treble
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí once again etched her name into football history by winning the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third consecutive year. The Barcelona and Spain midfielder delivered yet another outstanding season, cementing her status as the dominant force in the women’s game.
An emotional Bonmatí reflected on her journey after receiving the award: “When I was a kid, I didn’t think women’s football could exist. My idols were Iniesta and Xavi. Now my trophies are because of the collective work of the women’s game. We are letting young girls dream.”
Donnarumma Secures Yashin Trophy
Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma picked up the Yashin Trophy for Best Goalkeeper, marking his second career triumph in this category. The Italian shot-stopper, who recently moved to Manchester City after PSG deemed him surplus to requirements, credited his former teammates and highlighted his excitement at working under Pep Guardiola.
“There are a lot of brilliant goalkeepers around the world, so this is incredibly special to me,” Donnarumma said. “I know I can still improve and that’s why I joined City — to develop further and help my new team win more.”
A Glittering Night in Paris
The ceremony celebrated individual brilliance but also highlighted the collective spirit of the sport. With PSG marking a landmark Ballon d’Or triumph through Dembélé, Barcelona continuing its dominance in women’s football with Bonmatí, and Donnarumma proving his elite goalkeeping credentials, the 2025 gala will be remembered as a night of milestones.
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