From Ousmane Dembélé’s triumph to Aitana Bonmatí’s historic achievement, with awards for Club of the Year and the brand-new Gerd Müller Trophy, the 2025 Ballon d’Or gala delivered a full range of emotions.
- MEN’S BALLON D’OR 2025 : DEMBÉLÉ WITH NO DOUBT
An undisputed victory for Ousmane Dembélé. PSG’s star man, coming off an extraordinary season, earned the most prestigious prize in world football. It was the ultimate reward for a player who overcame serious injuries, doubts, and even ridicule. With 35 goals and 16 assists to his name, his season was unforgettable. Now, his name joins those of Kopa, Platini, Papin, Zidane, and Benzema among French Ballon d’Or winners.
Lamine Yamal and Vitinha rounded out the top three, while Cole Palmer earned an impressive 8th place finish after dazzling performances on American soil during the Club World Cup.
- WOMEN’S BALLON D’OR : Bonmati makes it three in a row
Aitana Bonmatí captured her third straight Women’s Ballon d’Or, winning the seventh edition of the award. With this, FC Barcelona extended its dominance in the women’s game, now claiming the trophy five consecutive times. Since Alexia Putellas’s back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022, the award has remained firmly in Catalonia.
After Putellas’s career was derailed by injuries, Bonmatí seamlessly took over as the driving force on the field. Her third consecutive Ballon d’Or ties Michel Platini’s record and leaves her just one behind Messi’s four straight. On the domestic stage, she won everything with Barça, though international regrets linger: a Champions League final loss to Arsenal and a defeat to England in the European Championship final. Still, her season was too impressive to overlook.
- KOPA TROPHY : Yamal doesn’t leave empty-handed
For the second year in a row, Lamine Yamal claimed the Raymond Kopa Trophy for best young player. Precocious as ever, Yamal built on his 2024 season and his starring role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. His campaign was so remarkable that many argued he had a legitimate case for the Ballon d’Or itself.
Despite sweeping every domestic competition, his only regret came in the Champions League, where his club fell in the semifinals.
- TROPHY YASHIN : Donnarumma again and Hampton for the first time
Gianluigi Donnarumma rightfully secured his second Lev Yashin Trophy. Monumental in his club’s incredible campaign, his victory felt inevitable. Alisson and Sommer completed the podium.
On the women’s side, England’s Hannah Hampton took home the award. She was the backbone of Chelsea’s unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League and shone during the Euros, carrying her nation to the title with heroic performances between the posts.
- COACHES OF THE YEAR : Luis Enrique and Sarah Wiegman honored
There was no debate for the Johan Cruyff Coach of the Year awards. Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman both guided extraordinary teams, leaving their mark through tactical mastery and cool-headed leadership in the biggest moments.
Behind every great team lies a brilliant mind, and these two proved it perfectly.
- GERD MULLER TROPHY : Gyokeres and Pajor strike first
This year marked the debut of the Gerd Müller Trophy for best striker of the season. Viktor Gyökeres and Ewa Pajor were the inaugural winners, honored for their cold-blooded finishing and phenomenal scoring records. Both proved to be ruthless predators inside the box.
A TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO DIOGO JOTA AND ANDRÉ SILVA
The night ended with an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, both of whom tragically passed away on July 3. Their last goals and memorable moments, along with heartfelt messages from teammates, were broadcast in a moving homage that touched everyone in the room.
In this whirlwind of emotions, thoughts went out to them and their families.