On September 22, 2025, football’s most prestigious awards were given out to the best players of this year., Ousmane Dembélé from France, who plays for Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or along with Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Vitinha (PSG), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), and Raphinha (Barcelona), following behind him to make the men’s football top five of this year.

While Aitana Bonmatí from Spain and plays for LaLiga’s Barcelona was deemed the champion of the women’s league taking home her Ballon d’Or for her third year in a row. The other four nominees following her are Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), and Chloe Kelly (Arsenal).

What did Dembélé do to deserve the Ballon d’Or? In this season Dembélé amazingly scored 35 goals across all matches played and delivered 16 assists. Dembélé proceeded to help lead PSG to their first UEFA Champions League title. Adding on to his success with winning two other domestic trophies(Ligue 1 and the French Cup).

Bonmatí has now won the Ballon d’Or three years in a row. This impressive feat has only been done by Bonmatí herself in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Lionel Messi (2010, 2011, 2012), and Michel Platini (1983, 1984, 1985). In addition to winning the Ballon d’Or three times consecutively, she led her team to a domestic treble, winning Liga F, the Supercopa de España Femenina, and the Copa de la Reina. These events ultimately gave Bonmatí her well-deserved 3rd Ballon d’Or.