Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, claiming the prestigious award for the first time in his career.
The 28-year-old Frenchman, visibly emotional during his acceptance speech delivered in French, thanked his family and supporters, with his mother joining him on stage in a touching moment.
Dembélé enjoyed a sensational season, netting 35 goals and providing 14 assists in 53 matches as PSG secured a historic treble, including their maiden Champions League triumph. He finished as joint top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals and was named both Ligue 1 Player of the Year and Champions League Player of the Year.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí made history by becoming the first player to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin three times, adding the 2025 crown to her 2023 and 2024 triumphs.
The 27-year-old Spain and Barcelona midfielder topped the rankings ahead of her international teammate Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal, who finished second.
England also enjoyed strong representation, with five players making the top 10: Arsenal’s Alessia Russo (3rd), Chloe Kelly (5th), and Leah Williamson (7th), along with Chelsea duo Lucy Bronze (9th) and Hannah Hampton (10th).
Bonmatí’s win extends Barcelona’s dominance, as players from the club have now claimed the women’s Ballon d’Or for five consecutive years—following Alexia Putellas’ back-to-back victories in 2021 and 2022.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie has confirmed her place among the best goalkeepers in the world after finishing fourth in the 2025 Women’s Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or Awards in Paris.
She was followed by Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger in second place, Spain’s Cata Coll in third, while Nnadozie came fourth. The Netherlands’ Daphne van Domselaar completed the top five.
For Nnadozie, this award is another step in a career that keeps breaking new ground.
The 24-year-old, who plays for Brighton Ladies team in England has already been voted Africa’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper two years in a row at the CAF Awards. She was also one of Nigeria’s most important players at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where her saves and leadership helped the Super Falcons win the trophy again.
Her profile was massively boosted after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
In that tournament, Nnadozie produced one of the most memorable performances in Nigeria’s famous 3–2 victory over hosts Australia.
Finishing fourth in the Yashin Trophy is a huge moment for Nnadozie and for African women’s football.
