In a thrilling ceremony in Paris, Ousmane Dembele wins the Ballon d’Or 2025
Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in soccer, on September 23, 2025, in a spectacular ceremony in Paris. Both fans and experts were shocked. The PSG winger, who used to be a star at Barcelona, outshone big names like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. This was a new beginning for a career that has had its ups and downs. Even if cricket is more popular, Indian supporters love soccer and are motivated by Dembele’s success.
Dembele’s Defining Year: The Rise to Fame
In 2024–25, Dembele had a great season. In Ligue 1, he scored 22 goals and helped set up 18 more. His goal in the Champions League final gave PSG their first trophy. Luis Enrique, the coach, said he was “unstoppable” because he was so fast and good at crossing the ball. Dembele has experienced a lot of injuries in the past, but this year he started 42 games and played with a new level of desire. It wasn’t simply numbers that beat Haaland (second) and Mbappe (third). It was a story of redemption, with a youngster from Évreux proving the skeptics wrong after a hard time in Barcelona.
The Event: Drama and Shocks – Ballon d’Or 2025
When host Didier Drogba shouted Dembele’s name, the Théâtre du Châtelet was full with tension, and everyone gasped and cheered. Fans in India went crazy on social media, tweeting videos of his smooth dribbling and joking that he might “outrun Usain Bolt.” But there was a lot of disagreement: Haaland’s camp thought his 40 goals in the Premier League deserved more, while Mbappe’s hometown fans felt left out. The vote, which came from 100 journalists from all around the world, was based on Dembele’s clutch plays, like when he scored two goals against Real Madrid. Indian viewers remained up all night to watch the 3 AM IST stream on JioCinema.
Why It Matters: India’s Soccer Link
Dembele’s success is tremendously crucial in India, where teams in the ISL, like Bengaluru FC, have millions of followers. His life story is like that of local heroes like Sunil Chhetri, who had to work hard to achieve where they are. People in Kolkata and Kochi, who love European competitions, see Dembele as proof that style can prevail over pedigree. To join the debate about the Ballon d’Or 2025, use the hashtag #BallonDor2025. You can also watch videos on YouTube. India wants to be a prominent player in world soccer, and Dembele’s tale gives them hope. Who do you think will win in 2026?