In a night filled with emotion, Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí were named the world’s best footballers at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. Dembele with his mum Getty imageDembélé, 28, became the first Frenchman in more than two decades to win the men’s award while playing for a club in his home country. Ousmane!” as the winger lifted the golden trophy, his voice cracking as he dedicated the honour to his mother. The Spain international won her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin, a feat matched only by Lionel Messi and Michel Platini in the men’s game. Arsenal were recognised as the women’s club of the year, with PSG taking the men’s title — underlining their dominance on both domestic and European stages.