PSG's Ousmane Dembele makes history, lifts Ballon d'Or 2025

France's star winger Ousmane Dembele has etched his name in the history books, as he won the Ballon d'Or 2025 on September 22, for his heroic campaign with the French club Paris Saint-Germain. It should be noted that he won this honor for the first time in his footballing career.

Dembele's heroic 2024-25 campaign with PSG

The 28-year-old player registered his best season in 2024-25, scoring 35 goals and 16 assists in just53 matches across all competitions as PSG won their first ever UEFA Champions League as a part of continental quadraple.

Even though PSG lost 3-0 against Chelsea in the newly designed FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, they kicked off the new season with a shootout victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup.

Dembele's decent start to the new season

Ousmane Dembele kicked off the ongoing season on a decent note, scoring two goals and as many assists in four matches across competitions.

Tough competition for Ousmane Dembele

Apart from Dembele, Barcelona's duo of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah were some of the strongest candidates for this year's Ballon d'Or. Mohamed Salah managed to win the Premier League with Liverpool, Yamal and Raphinha played pivotal roles in Barcelona's domestic treble-winning season.

Lamine Yamal creates history

Barcelona's star winger Lamine Yamal has achieved an amazing feat, as he became the first player in the short history of the Kopa Trophy to retain the award.

After receiving the prize dolled out to the best-performing male player under the age of 21 in 2024 after a triumphant year with Spain at the Euros 2024. Hansi Flick reignited the spark in the Barcelona side, as he led them to the domestic treble in the 2024-25 season, winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.

Despite Lamine Yamal's best efforts Inter Milan defeated Barcelona in the semifinals of Champions League 2024-25. The winger dribbled past the Italian defense 38 times across two legs. On the other hand, Yamal's teammate Raphinha, contender for the Ballon d'Or, attempted 37 dribbles throughout the entire 2024-25 Champions League campaign.