DOHA — Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembélé was named The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2025 at a glittering ceremony held at the Fairmont Katara Hall in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The 28-year-old edged out Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and former teammate Kylian Mbappé to claim the prestigious award, capping a remarkable year that saw him lead PSG to their maiden UEFA Champions League title and secure the Ballon d'Or earlier in September.
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí claimed the women's prize for the third consecutive year, further cementing her status as one of the game's all-time greats. The event, hosted on the eve of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and CR Flamengo, celebrated excellence across men's and women's football, with awards also handed out for coaches, goalkeepers, and standout goals.
Dembélé's triumph recognizes his outstanding contributions during the voting period from August 11, 2024, to August 2, 2025—a timeframe that encompassed PSG's historic 2024/25 season. The Frenchman was pivotal in the club's continental treble, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in the Champions League as PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the final at Munich's Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025. Domestically, he helped secure Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions, while also reaching the final of the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
His individual accolades from the season include UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, Ligue 1 Player of the Year, and selection in both the Champions League and Ligue 1 Teams of the Season. Reports highlight Dembélé's prolific output, with around 35-37 goals across all competitions, often thriving in a central striking role under manager Luis Enrique, who was named The Best FIFA Men's Coach.
On the international stage, Dembélé contributed to France's third-place finish in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. His adaptation and consistency earned praise, with many viewing the 2024/25 campaign as the pinnacle of his career to date.
The voting process, overseen by independent observers for transparency, involved four equal groups: national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans (each 25%). Voters selected a top three, awarding five points for first place, three for second, and one for third. Ties are broken by the most first-place votes from captains. Dembélé topped the overall tally, reportedly with 50 points ahead of Yamal (39) and Mbappé (35).
Accepting the award, Dembélé expressed gratitude to his family, PSG, and FIFA, stating it was a "great honor" and expressing hope to return next year.
Bonmatí's third straight win underscores her dominance, following Barcelona's successes and Spain's performances, including at Euro 2025.
Other notable winners included Santiago Montiel for the FIFA Puskás Award (men's best goal) and Lizbeth Ovalle for the FIFA Marta Award (women's). Gianluigi Donnarumma took The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper, while PSG dominated the Men's XI with multiple selections.
The ceremony highlighted football's global appeal, with over 16 million fan votes cast. It comes amid PSG's ongoing participation in the Intercontinental Cup, adding to the Qatari spotlight.
Dembélé's double—Ballon d'Or and FIFA The Best—places him alongside legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who achieved similar sweeps. As the first Frenchman to win FIFA The Best, he joins an elite group in French football history.
This award solidifies Dembélé's resurgence after early career challenges with injuries and form. His journey from Rennes prodigy to world-beater exemplifies perseverance, earning widespread acclaim.
The Best FIFA Football Awards continue to rival the Ballon d'Or in prestige, with their inclusive voting distinguishing them. As 2025 draws to a close, Dembélé's honors reflect a season of historic achievements for both player and club.
