Ousmane Dembele was awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or for his instrumental role in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic Champions League victory, while Aitana Bonmati secured the women’s title for the third consecutive year. Dembele, the sixth Frenchman to claim the honor, followed in the footsteps of legends like Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, and Zinedine Zidane. Bonmati’s achievement places her in elite company, joining the likes of Platini and Lionel Messi as the only players to secure three consecutive wins.
Dembele’s Ballon d’Or triumph marked a remarkable redemption arc, overcoming past disciplinary setbacks to lead PSG to glory as a prolific goal-scorer. His standout performances were pivotal in PSG’s quadruple-winning season, notably shining in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. With an impressive tally of 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 matches, Dembele’s impact was undeniable, particularly in the Champions League where he contributed to 14 goals.
During the awards ceremony, Dembele emotionally accepted the Ballon d’Or from former winner Ronaldinho, expressing gratitude for the recognition. On the women’s front, Bonmati’s consistency and resilience stood out, as she overcame adversity to excel for Barcelona, clinching a domestic treble and reaching the Champions League final. The evening also saw accolades for rising talents like Lamine Yamal, recognized for his contributions to Barcelona’s success.
While Bonmati narrowly missed out on a major international title with Spain, her individual excellence was duly acknowledged. The women’s awards showcased a strong English presence, reflective of the nation’s recent footballing successes. Notable mentions included Vicky Lopez’s Kopa trophy and Sarina Wiegman’s Johan Cruyff award for coaching excellence. PSG’s dominance was further highlighted with accolades for their men’s team and standout performers like Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Across both genders, the Gerd Muller trophies for top scorers went to Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor and Viktor Gyokeres, emphasizing the talent on display in European football. The awards ceremony celebrated the best in the game, honoring achievements on and off the pitch, and setting the stage for continued excellence in the seasons ahead.
