Ousmane Dembele Wins 2025 Ballon d'Or, Celebrating His Journey from Barcelona to PSG

Dembele's Triumph at the 2025 Ballon d'Or

At the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, Barcelona had four current players nominated, but it was a former star who captured the attention. Ousmane Dembele, now playing for Paris Saint-Germain, took home the prestigious award, narrowly defeating Lamine Yamal, the young talent expected to succeed him at Camp Nou.

Dembele's path to this accolade began in 2023 when PSG activated his €50 million release clause. Since then, he has emerged as a pivotal player in a remarkable era for the French club. Under the leadership of Luis Enrique, another former Barcelona figure, PSG clinched every domestic title and finally achieved their long-awaited Champions League victory. Enrique was also honored that evening, receiving the Johan Cruyff Award for Manager of the Year.

Dembele's Emotional Acceptance Speech

As he accepted the Ballon d'Or, Dembele was visibly emotional, shedding tears while receiving the award from Ronaldinho.

"This is incredible and exceptional for me. It has been an amazing season with PSG. I feel a bit nervous. Bringing this trophy home and having it presented by Ronaldinho is surreal," Dembele expressed.

"I want to extend my gratitude to PSG for bringing me on board in 2023. The entire team, the president, and the staff - we are like family. Luis Enrique has been like a father to me. This team has supported me through every moment of the 2024/25 season, both highs and lows."

Clearing Up Misunderstandings

During a press conference, Dembele addressed past rumors regarding tensions with Enrique, particularly about being left out of a crucial Champions League match against Arsenal.

"I have never had issues with Luis Enrique. I made a mistake before that game, but we moved on. Our relationship has always been strong. Last season was one of my best, especially in terms of statistics. I know I can still perform better in significant matches, but overall, I am very satisfied."

Honoring His Past

Despite his success at PSG, Dembele took time to acknowledge his beginnings. In his speech, he expressed gratitude to his former clubs, Rennes and Borussia Dortmund, and emphasized the significance of his five years at Barcelona.

"We all share this individual award as a team. I also want to thank Borussia Dortmund and Rennes. Barcelona was where I realized my dreams, playing alongside legends like Messi and Iniesta. It helped me grow immensely as both a person and a player. Bringing this trophy home is incredibly special."

Support from Kylian Mbappe

The evening also featured a heartfelt message from Kylian Mbappe, Dembele's international teammate, who had previously endorsed him for the award. Following the announcement, the Real Madrid star posted on Instagram: "Ousmane Dembele. These are the emotions, my brother. You deserve it x1000."