Why Dembélé’s 2025 Ballon d’Or Win Was the Easiest Call in Years

The wait was worth it, as the new king of football has been crowned. Ousmane Dembélé was named the winner of the Ballon d’Or trophy for 2025 last night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

After so many years of struggles and injury setbacks, the PSG winger has finally won the undoubtedly biggest award in football.

The ceremony felt different with no major surprises or disagreements. Ousmane Dembélé looked to be on course for the award, which so many fans had predicted after an extraordinary season in France with PSG.

Ousmane Dembele from the first match of last season was a key player for the team. His contributions are the reason why they were able to win their first Champions League title in history.

This award has always gone to a player who has been outstanding in a season and that is why Dembele won it.

In 53 appearances for PSG, the Frenchman scored 35 goals and assisted 16 times, making him tick all boxes for the Ballon d’or.

At 8 PM local time, the ceremony was held at the Theatre; everything was set as other football stars were all seated for the prestigious award ceremony.

Former Ballon d’Or winners filled the front rows while camera flashes lit up the red carpet as nominees stepped out in a nice style. And everyone knew that this night would be a special occasion for French football.

Dembélé managed to snatch the award from Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old Spanish international finished second in the Ballon d’or rankings.

Lamine Yamal didn’t leave the hall empty. He won the Kopa Trophy for the second time in a row, becoming the only player to win this award twice. Vitinha of PSG was placed third in the main voting.

Journalists and coaches from around the world gave Dembélé their strong support.

His Champions League victory added major credence to his candidature, whereas domestic glory is usually held to tilt the scales in favor of a Ballon d’Or nominee. This year was no different.

Dembélé was clearly in shock when his name was mentioned, and he started crying.

His family and PSG teammates all started clapping when his name was mentioned. After so many hard years of hard work, it was pure emotion.

His few words spoke volumes in his testimony. He first thanked his family. Then came the praise for his teammates in PSG and the coach, Luis Enrique, and also his former teammates from Barcelona, especially Messi.

The Frenchman dedicated the award to the fans who never allowed themselves to stop believing in him. He made a promise that it was just the beginning of something special.

From Injury Hell to Champions League Heaven

Dembélé’s road toward this moment hasn’t been easy. Many people wrote him off during his days in Barcelona. Constant injuries kept him out of big matches.

The Spanish media was always attacking his lifestyle outside the pitch and work habits. Some Barcelona supporters went as far as to ask whether he possessed the mentality necessary for making it at the highest levels, where they envision him reaching.

The summer of 2023 brought a major turning point. He left Barcelona for a fee of €50 million after PSG activated his release clause.

Most assumed that moving to PSG would be a step back for his career. Accusations were thrown about how running away from pressure at Camp Nou constituted a cowardly act.

His very first season was very slow. Dembélé scored just three goals and eight assists in all competitions.

That left almost no one impressed considering PSG had its high expectations. Some thought perhaps the club had made a mistake by signing him.

But Luis Enrique saw something totally different in the French winger. The Spanish manager provided him with more freedom on the field.

Instead of sticking to the right wing and remaining wide, Dembélé was allowed to move around and find spaces. This very tactical alteration served to liberate him and find his order.

The sight of the transformation was astonishing. Dembélé became truly blessed with speed, strength, and decision making.

Things we could already start to talk about were on the back burner; like his fitness level went through the roof to levels never seen by man.

Luis Enrique praised Dembélé’s work and how hard he has been training after the Champions League final. “In terms of defending in this final, I would hand the Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembélé.” That’s what you call leading a team. I believe he deserves it, not just for goals or titles, but for his pressing.”

Such a quotation reveals the extent to which Dembélé matured into a fully developed footballer.

No longer merely a flamboyant winger, he tracked back to help his team defend. He pressed opponents high up the pitch. He became a leader, both on and off the ball.

The Season That Changed Everything

PSG’s 2024-25 season will, from now on, be remembered in the history of football. 4 major trophies were won; their holy grail—the Champions League included.

Dembélé was the extraordinary player of the season. He scored important goals whenever his team needed them the most.

The Champions League campaign was special from beginning to end. Dembélé scored against Manchester City and Arsenal along the way.

His speed and skills caused all sorts of problems for the best defenders in Europe last season.

The knockout stages were even bigger challenges. After eliminating Aston Villa, they met Arsenal which was seen as another difficult tie. Most football pundits predicted that the Gunners would push through after beating Madrid back-to-back.

But Dembélé had other ideas. When they faced the Gunners at Emirates Stadium, he scored the only goal, giving PSG a slight victory.

In the second leg at Parc des Princes, PSG continued their dominance by scoring two unanswered goals against Arsenal.

In these two crucial games, Ousmane Dembele contributed highly as PSG eliminated Arsenal.

The final match against Inter Milan was more controlled. From the first to the last minute, PSG had full control of the game. Dembélé provided two assists in the game.

When the referee whistled full time, PSG won by a huge 5-0, and while in tears, Dembélé knelt.

His performance last season spoke for him last night. There was no other better player favorite to win the Ballon d’Or award than Ousmane Dembele.