The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris turned into a night of stories, triumphs and real heart. Football’s best came together to honour their peers for the 2024-25 season. And though many names were in the running, two stood tallest: Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati. Their wins were more than individual awards. They showed what consistency, drive and belief can do.
Ballon d’Or : Dembele’s crowning moment with PSG
Ousmane Dembele lifted the Men’s Ballon d’Or after a season that exploded with glory. At 28, he became the sixth French National to win it. He helped Paris Saint-Germain win their first Champions League title. They also won Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the Super Cup. His stats were telling : 37 goals and 15 assists across all competitions. That mix of skill and teamwork made him a choice nobody could ignore.
Ballon d’Or : Bonmati’s hat-trick of dominance
Aitana Bonmati has now won the Women’s Ballon d’Or three years in a row. That’s a mark few have touched. Her season with Barcelona included winning a domestic treble, taking Barcelona deeply in the Champions League, and playing an important role for Spain at the Women’s Euro. Despite stiff competition, Bonmati’s consistency, vision, and influence made her stand out.
Young stars and special trophies shine
Youth and goalkeepers also had big nights. Lamine Yamal, already turning heads, won the Men’s Kopa Trophy for the best young player. On women’s side, Vicky López won the inaugural Women’s Kopa Trophy. Goalkeepers got their praise too: Gianluigi Donnarumma took the Men’s Yashin Trophy, and Hannah Hampton won the first Women’s Yashin. Clubs and coaches got their share of honours. PSG was voted Men’s Club of the Year. Arsenal Women were Club of Year for their Champions League success. Sarina Wiegman was Women’s Coach of the Year. Luis Enrique claimed the male coach award.
What this all means for the game
The 2025 Ballon d’Or was about more than goals or glory. It was a marker of progress. Awards to women’s goalkeepers, rising youngsters, parity in terms of recognition—this was a night that reflected growth in football. It showed fans and players alike that effort, quality, and consistency get noticed, even amid intense competition.
Author’s Insight
Watching these winners reminds us football’s power lies in more than just scoring. Dembele’s haul came from timing, teamwork and grit. Bonmati’s streak shows how believing in your craft, even when odds are high, pays off. For younger players like Yamal and López, the message is loud and clear: talent will be seen. For the game itself, this year’s awards feel like a step forward—more voices, more roles, more types of excellence. If football keeps this path, what once seemed extraordinary will become the standard.
