Argentina and Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has expressed his delight after Ousmane Dembele was crowned winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, edging out Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal. Lionel Messi, who once shared the dressing room with Dembele at Barcelona, was quick to celebrate the Frenchman’s achievement. Shortly after lifting the award, Dembele shared his emotions with fans online. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, remains one of the award’s most decorated icons. Reposting PSG’s official photo of his former teammate with the trophy, Mbappé wrote: “It’s the emotions, my brother!