The 2025 Ballon d’Or gala in Paris didn’t just hand out trophies—it told stories of personal revival, rising stars, and fresh milestones. Here’s a look at the highlights and what they reveal about where football is heading.
1. A Dream Turnaround: Ousmane Dembélé’s Rise to the Top
After waves of doubts earlier in his career, Dembele crowned his season by winning the Men’s Ballon d’Or, his first ever.
Key stats: 35 goals and ~15 assists in all competitions. Crucial in PSG’s historic Champions League win, Ligue 1 domination, and domestic cup victories.
Emotional highpoints: acceptance speech from Ronaldinho, heartfelt tribute to mother, visible sense of gratitude and relief.
This shows that consistency + peak performance at big moments still resonates deeply with voters.
2. Aitana Bonmatí’s Three-Peat & Women’s Game Momentum
Aitana Bonmatí secured her third consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or, joining the very short list of players (including Messi and Platini) who’ve achieved a three-peat.
Despite Barcelona falling short in the Women’s Champions League final, her individual brilliance—goals, assists, leadership—stood out.
Her win is not just personal—it underlines how the women’s game is no longer an afterthought. Investment, visibility, and competitive depth are rising fast.
3. Rising Stars Grab Spotlight: The Youth Are Here
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) scooped the Men’s Kopa Trophy and finished a close second to Dembele in the Men’s Ballon d’Or. That’s a signal: youth players aren’t just future-facing—they are present.
Vicky López won the Women’s Kopa Trophy—emerging voices are being recognized and celebrated.
These wins suggest that performance under pressure—both at club and international levels—is key to getting noticed early.
4. Goalkeepers & Coaches: Recognition Beyond Scoring
The Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper) went to Gianluigi Donnarumma for men and Hannah Hampton for women, highlighting that clean sheets, saves under pressure, commanding presence—that all matters.
Coaches got their moment too: Luis Enrique (PSG) was named Men’s Coach of the Year; Sarina Wiegman (England) nabbed Women’s Coach of the Year. Strategic leadership and management quality are being rewarded more visibly.
5. Big Themes & Takeaways for Where Football’s Headed
Collective success adds weight. PSG’s treble (Ligue 1, Champions League, Coupe de France) reinforced Dembele’s case. Individual brilliance still matters, but it shines brighter when backed by team achievements.
Inclusivity keeps expanding. More awards, more categories, more women, more young players—widening horizons in what counts as “top of the game.”
Respect and sportsmanship are trending. Fans widely praised Lamine Yamal’s humble response to narrowly missing out, for example. That behavior becomes part of the football narrative, too.
Final Thoughts
2025’s Ballon d’Or didn’t just crown winners—it underscored that football’s future is multifaceted: resurgence matters, young stars are stepping up, and the game is growing in fairness and recognition. Every year, the margin between winning and being noticed shrinks, so consistency, character, and clutch moments keep rising in importance.
