Now it is 2025 and Ousmane Dembele has won the Ballon d'Or. This is a reality that needs to be recognized, because the journey to the top of the PSG superstar is not flat. But this is definitely a worthy ending.
PSG became the undeniable king of Europe when they won the Champions League for the first time in history. That is an impressive achievement for a club that was newly established in 1970 and is part of the Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) project, which has been determined to dominate the continent since taking over in 2011.
Luis Enrique's side will be remembered for their tiki-taka-lite play based on their ability to move and control the ball skillfully, with Dembele being a key factor in all success.
With the Ballon d'Or being evaluated seasonally, the 2024-2025 campaign ended reasonably with the image of Dembele elevating the noble title in his home country.
Clearly, PSG have many other strong candidates. Vitinha and Achraf Hakimi both deserve to be mentioned. However, Dembele was the one who deserved the victory. He realized his potential despite being late, and finally affirmed his worth both on and off the pitch.
"Winning the Ballon d'Or as a player is clearly sacred to you personally. It has been a dream since I was a child. I still remember Telefoot, when I saw the players lining up to receive the Ballon d'Or, it was unbelievable. This award is really special" - Dembele shared with France Football a few weeks after PSG's success in the Champions League.
"I have also gone through difficult years with injuries and poor form. This year, I think I played well, so let's wait and see what happens. It would be special if my name was on the list. Becoming one of the brightest candidates was a great win, even if I was hoping to win," he added.
Dembele's dream has come true and is completely deserved. He was the best player in the world last season, with individual titles, successes with the team, impressive statistics and invisible values that are difficult to measure. His journey from Barcelona, a Fortnite enthusiast, to the world's top star has truly been an inspiring journey.
From Rennes to Dortmund, Dembele was once hailed as the future star of French football. The €105 million signing of him to Barcelona in 2017 made Dembele the world's second-most expensive player at the time. However, constant injuries and instability have prevented him from being a Ballon d'Or candidate.
The turning point came when Dembele joined PSG in 2023 for 50.4 million Euros. His start in Paris was also skeptical as injuries continued to haunt him, but the 2024-2025 season changed everything. Dembele has become the soul of PSG, contributing greatly to the winning streak and explosive moments on the pitch.
From a player who was once considered a disappointment, Dembele has now re-written the history of the Ballon d'Or. This victory is not only a reward for talent and determination, but also sends a strong message. Peaks can come at any time, as long as you never give up.
"Receiving this trophy from Ronaldinho is very special. I would like to thank PSG for trusting and signing me in 2023. The president, the whole team and the whole club have treated me like a family since the very first day" - the French star said after receiving the award.
