In a glittering ceremony in Qatar, the footballing world crowned a new king. Paris Saint-Germain and France star Ousmane Dembélé has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year, cementing his status as the most dominant force in modern football.
Coming off the back of his Ballon d’Or win in September 2025, the 28-year-old’s triumph marks the first time a PSG player has claimed the trophy while representing the French giants, signaling a shift in the sport's traditional power balance.
A Record-Breaking Season: The Numbers Behind the Win
Dembélé’s 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of historic. Under the tactical brilliance of Luis Enrique, the former Barcelona and Dortmund winger evolved from a mercurial talent into a clinical, consistent match-winner.
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Statistical Dominance: Dembélé recorded an astonishing 51 goal contributions (goals and assists) in just 53 appearances.
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Silverware Sweep: He was the catalyst for PSG’s most successful season ever, securing four trophies, including the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions.
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The Champions League Breakthrough: Most notably, Dembélé led PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, ending decades of heartbreak for the Parisian faithful.
The Final Shortlist: Beating the Best
The race for the 2025 award was one of the most competitive in recent memory. Dembélé emerged victorious over two of the game’s biggest icons:
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Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): The teenage sensation who has revitalized the Catalan giants.
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Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): Dembélé’s international teammate, who enjoyed a prolific debut season in Spain.
The voting—conducted by national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans—highlighted Dembélé’s "clutch" performances in high-stakes matches as the deciding factor.
From Injury Woes to Global Icon
Dembélé’s journey to the FIFA Best stage is a story of incredible resilience. Long plagued by hamstring injuries during his time in La Liga, his move to the Parc des Princes in 2023 proved to be the turning point.
By focusing on a personalized fitness regime and thriving in a system that maximizes his dual-footed dribbling and vision, he has become the "ultimate nightmare" for defenders worldwide.
"This award belongs to my teammates at PSG and France. Without the collective effort and the trust of Luis Enrique, this 51-goal season wouldn't have been possible." — Ousmane Dembélé during his acceptance speech.
What’s Next: The Intercontinental Cup
There is no rest for the world’s best player. Directly after the ceremony, Dembélé joined his squad to prepare for the Intercontinental Cup final against Flamengo. With a fifth trophy on the line, the Frenchman looks to end 2025 with an unprecedented haul of collective and individual honors.
Sources
◦ FIFA Official - The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 Results
◦ L'Équipe - Ousmane Dembélé's Path to the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Best
◦ Opta Sports - 2024-25 Season Performance Metrics for PSG
◦ France Football - The Evolution of Ousmane Dembélé
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