Ousmane Dembele has emerged because the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or following a breakthrough 2024-25 season wherein he excelled each individually and collectively with Paris Saint-Germain. After the ceremony on the Theatre du Chatelet, his French nationwide workforce teammate Kylian Mbappé shared a heartfelt 10-word message congratulating the Ballon d’Or winner.
PSG dominated European soccer final season, successful all home trophies earlier than capturing the UEFA Champions League, showcasing elite-level soccer. Dembele contributed 35 objectives and 16 assists in 53 video games, main the workforce in purpose contributions whereas additionally serving as a key piece in coach Luis Enrique’s system.
Mbappé, in the meantime, did not contend for the highest spots within the Ballon d’Or regardless of a powerful first season at Actual Madrid, highlighted by his first Golden Boot. His performances earned him seventh place within the 2025 rankings, removed from the highest three.
Following Dembele’s victory over Lamine Yamal, Mbappé took to social media to congratulate his former PSG teammate, now a teammate within the French nationwide workforce. “It’s all about feelings, bro. You deserve 1000 instances extra,” Mbappé wrote, posting an illustration of Dembele with the Ballon d’Or.
Kylian Mbappe’s message to Ousmane Dembele after successful the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Dembele’s profession has been outlined by ups and downs. After shining at Borussia Dortmund, he struggled at FC Barcelona, with accidents severely affecting his consistency. Now again in France underneath Luis Enrique, he has rediscovered his greatest kind, culminating in his first Ballon d’Or nomination that he in the end received, additional proof of his standout season.
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Why did Mbappé miss the Ballon d’Or ceremony?
Regardless of being nominated alongside teammates like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, Mbappé and Actual Madrid didn’t attend the 2025 Ballon d’Or gala. Spanish outlet Marca reported that their absence was a type of protest, following final yr’s controversy when Vinicius didn’t obtain the popularity many believed he deserved.
Days earlier than the ceremony, Mbappé advised CBS he wouldn’t attend. “To win the Ballon d’Or it’s a must to win trophies. I’ve to assist my membership win titles after which we’ll see. I will probably be comfortable if Dembele wins it, as a result of he’s my good friend and I’ve at all times supported him. I’ll comply with him on tv and I hope he will get the award,” Mbappé mentioned.
On Tuesday, the day after the gala, Actual Madrid will go to Levante for Matchday 6 of La Liga. At present with six wins in six video games throughout the league and Champions League, and sitting on the prime of the Spanish desk, the 2025-26 season is one Mbappé sees as a turning level in his profession, particularly with the World Cup approaching on the finish of the yr.
