This is the second consecutive time Ousmane Dembele has overcome Lamine Yamal in a major individual title race, after the previous victory at the Golden Ball gala.
The 2024-2025 season marked the peak of Dembele's career when he scored 37 goals, had 15 assists and won a series of titles with PSG including Ligue 1, Champions League, French National Cup, French Super Cup and European Super Cup.
The 28-year-old striker was a key factor in helping PSG win the UEFA Champions League for the first time - a dream that the French capital team has pursued for many years.
On his journey to conquer Europe, Dembele scored 8 goals and contributed 6 assists, leaving a strong impression in decisive moments. His speed, dribbling ability and creating breakthroughs have become indispensable weapons in PSG's tactical system.
Not only did Dembele shine in the continental arena, he also contributed greatly to helping PSG win all domestic titles. He was voted the best player of Ligue 1 personally, participated in the outstanding squad of the season voted by UNFP and co-led the Ligue 1 2024-2025 goalscoring list, thereby affirming his comprehensive influence.
Internationally, Dembele and PSG reached the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final and won the runner-up position. In the French national team, he participated in the UEFA Nations League 2024-2025, where Les Bleus finished in third place.
The FIFA Best Men's Player award is determined through a voting process with the participation of national team coaches, team captains, journalists and fans around the world.
In addition, FIFA also honored many other outstanding individuals of the year, including Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Best Goalkeeper category and Luis Enrique with the Best Coach award.
The Puskas - the most beautiful goal of the year - went to Santiago Montiel (Independiente) thanks to a great goal against Rivadavia in the Argentina national championship.
