Every year, football fans around the world eagerly anticipate the Ballon d’Or, the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade. Awarded by France Football, it recognizes the player deemed the very best in the world, taking into account not only skill and talent but also decisive performances, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The selection process begins with journalists from France Football and L’Équipe compiling a shortlist of 30 nominees, sometimes with input from former players. One journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations then votes for their top ten, with points allocated in descending order. The player with the highest total wins, with ties broken by the number of first-place votes, then second-place votes, and so on. Voters are encouraged to weigh three main considerations: individual brilliance, team achievements, and class on and off the pitch.
For 28-year-old Dembele, the 2025 Ballon d’Or marks the culmination of a journey defined by highs and lows. His career has weathered injuries, periods of inconsistency, and questions about his attitude, yet this season, he rose above it all. Playing for Paris Saint-Germain, he was instrumental in guiding the team to a historic treble, winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League, and also reaching the Club World Cup final. Across all competitions, he scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists, cementing his status as Europe’s most in-form forward by mid-season. Dembele’s transformation began at Barcelona, where he gradually adopted a more focused approach to the game. At PSG, he embraced the ambition of becoming a true star, and his hard work and dedication have now earned him football’s most coveted individual prize.
In the women’s category, Bonmati, 27, continued her dominance by taking home the Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of her international teammate, Arsenal winger Mariona Caldentey. This victory marks her third consecutive win (2023–2025) and extends Barcelona’s remarkable run of success, following Alexia Putellas’ back-to-back awards in 2021 and 2022.
The 2025 ceremony took place on 22nd September at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris, celebrating the outstanding achievements of football’s finest talents. For players like Dembele and Bonmati, the honor is not just a reflection of a single season’s brilliance but a testament to resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
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Source: Daniel Austin, BBC
