Ousmane Dembélé has won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, making history in football’s most celebrated individual award. This highly anticipated event was followed closely by football fans in the UK and around the globe, with Dembélé’s victory reflecting a season marked by personal achievement, team triumphs, and fierce competition. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the Ballon d’Or 2025, exploring the ceremony, main contenders, voting process, and its significance for British football fans.
Ballon d’Or 2025: The Prestigious Ceremony in Paris
The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony took place in Paris, the heart of football’s glamour. The event, held amid much fanfare, attracted top football stars, journalists, coaches, and influencers from across the globe. With anticipation reaching fever pitch, football fans across the UK tuned in for live updates and expert analysis, reflecting the award’s continued relevance in British sporting culture.
Organisers, France Football, continued the tradition of recognising the year’s most outstanding performances in men’s and women’s football. This year’s awards were particularly notable for their absence of previous serial winners, such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, providing a fresh narrative for a new generation of football stars.
The Main Contenders and Favourites
Ousmane Dembélé: The Champion of 2025
Dembélé, the French winger playing for Paris Saint-Germain, was the clear favourite leading up to the ceremony and ultimately secured the trophy. He accumulated 1,380 voting points, with both his technical prowess and impressive statistics underpinning his selection. Dembélé delivered 43 goal contributions in 44 Ligue 1 and Champions League matches, propelling PSG to a historic treble (Ligue 1, Champions League, and Coupe de France). UK pundits and global experts praised his ability to step up in crucial moments, with British press calling this “the year the Ballon d’Or returned to France”.
Lamine Yamal: The Teenage Sensation
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal emerged as an elite contender, reflecting the rise of a new footballing star. At just 17, he won the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best young player and finished as runner-up in the main Ballon d’Or category, attracting widespread admiration for his maturity and performances at club level. Europe’s footballing press, including UK outlets, highlighted Yamal’s impact as evidence of Barcelona’s continued production of world-class talent.
Mohamed Salah: The UK’s Leading Hope
Liverpool and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah represented the best hope for a Premier League winner, following an extraordinary season capped by helping Liverpool secure the Premier League title. Despite strong performances, Salah finished fourth overall but remains a key ambassador for Premier League football on the world stage.
Other Notable Nominees
The final shortlist featured several luminaries: Vitinha (Portugal, PSG), Raphinha (Brazil, Barcelona), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, PSG), Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid), England’s Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, PSG), and Nuno Mendes (Portugal, PSG). Their inclusion reflected a diverse voting pattern, with journalists from around the world acknowledging on-field achievements in both domestic and continental competitions.
The Voting Process: Behind the Ballon d’Or
Ballon d’Or voting remains a closely monitored process. Journalists from 100 countries — restricted to those whose national teams are in FIFA’s top 100 — each nominate and rank their top ten players. Rankings are then converted into points, with the player accruing the most votes awarded the Ballon d’Or. The 2025 tally broke down as follows: Dembélé led with 1,380 points, Yamal trailed with 1,059, and the rest of the top ten included stars from France, Spain, Egypt, Portugal, Brazil, Morocco, and England.
Interestingly, votes reflected continental preferences; African and Asian journalists tended to favour Dembélé, citing his influence at PSG, while European presses, including the UK, praised Yamal for his exceptional breakthrough season at Barcelona. South American journalists lent their support to Raphinha and Vitinha. The process remains transparent and built on peer respect, continuing to draw interest from UK sports fans and journalists alike.
The Women’s Ballon d’Or and British Success
The women’s edition of the award also garnered immense coverage in the UK, with Aitana Bonmatí becoming the first player to secure the women’s Ballon d’Or for three consecutive years, thanks to her pivotal role in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign. British interest was further piqued by the presence of England’s “Lionesses” in the nominees, with Hannah Hampton and coach Sarina Wiegman earning recognition in their respective categories. This visibility underscores the steady rise in UK-based women’s football, mirrored by growing attendance at Women’s Super League matches and nationwide interest.
UK Media and Social Impact
The Ballon d’Or 2025 dominated sports headlines across leading British newspapers and digital outlets, from BBC News and The Guardian to Sky Sports and TNT Sports. Google Trends confirmed that UK searches for “Ballon d’Or 2025” surged during the days leading up to the awards, eclipsing past editions in online popularity and sparking lively debate on radio and social media platforms.
Expert panels convened by UK broadcasters focused on Dembélé’s journey from injury setbacks to global recognition, with many comparing his impact to previous English winners like Michael Owen. In-depth analysis examined tactical innovations and the broader implications for Liverpool and Premier League clubs seeking to reclaim the award for England.
British Football in the Ballon d’Or Spotlight
While no Englishman stood on the Ballon d’Or podium this year, Cole Palmer’s top-ten finish marked an exciting development for English football fans. Analysts credited the emergence of young British talent to grassroots investments, while also highlighting ongoing challenges in closing the gap with continental giants. Mohamed Salah’s presence in the top five renewed conversations on Liverpool’s European ambitions as the club partook in dramatic matches, including fierce encounters such as Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid — a fixture detailed in more depth on Liverpool Daily News.
Football Politics: Absentees and Controversies
Every Ballon d’Or ceremony features its share of drama, and 2025 was no exception. Real Madrid’s continued boycott, which began the previous year after their star Vinicius Junior’s narrow loss in 2024, made headlines. Their absence was compounded by fixture congestion — a recurring theme this season with tube strikes in September causing disruptions to transport, as covered by Liverpool Daily News.
The debate over club versus country form remains a talking point. Club performances weighed most heavily this year, in the absence of major international tournaments, making the season’s domestic and Champions League drama vital to judging player contributions.
The Cultural Significance of Ballon d’Or in the UK
For many in the UK, the Ballon d’Or is more than just a trophy. It represents the enduring magic of football and the aspiration for British stars to shine on the world stage. As grassroots participation rises and Premier League clubs continue to invest in talent and facilities, optimism grows that an English winner may soon reclaim the accolade.
The ceremony’s growing global reach reflects football’s universal appeal, and British fans look forward to the day when a home-grown talent once again lifts the Golden Ball. Until then, the annual debate ensures lively pub conversations and endless debates on the terraces and in living rooms nationwide.
Grassroots and Legacy Projects: The Path to Future UK Winners
Investment in local football clubs and grassroots initiatives has been central to building future Ballon d’Or contenders from the UK. Projects such as those covered in the Department for Work and Pensions news demonstrate the commitment to using sport as a vehicle for community engagement and youth development. As UK football evolves, many hope this will launch the next generation of global stars.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Can the Premier League Reclaim Glory?
Attention is already shifting to next season, with odds being placed on early favourites for Ballon d’Or 2026. Premier League stars Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, and new breakout players enter the discussion, alongside European stalwarts and emerging talent from around the world. Fans across the UK will closely track performances in both domestic and continental competitions, debating which player might end the drought and return the trophy to English soil.
Expert Insights and Official Reactions
The footballing world reacted to Dembélé’s win with admiration. Even Lionel Messi, an eight-time winner, congratulated his former Barcelona teammate for this achievement. Coaches, players, and pundits agreed that the 2025 Ballon d’Or celebrated both individual brilliance and the collaborative spirit that powers football’s ongoing evolution. British expert panels, including those regularly featured on outlets like the BBC and The Independent, were quick to draw lessons from Dembélé’s consistency and resilience in adversity.tntsports
Frequently Asked Questions: Ballon d’Or 2025
Who won the Ballon d’Or 2025?
Ousmane Dembélé won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, becoming the sixth French winner in the award’s history.
Was there a British finalist in 2025?
Mohamed Salah, who plays for Liverpool, was the highest-ranking Premier League player, finishing fourth; Chelsea’s Cole Palmer also made the top ten.
Why was Dembélé considered the favourite?
Dembélé’s season was outstanding both statistically and in terms of impact. He was instrumental in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, with 43 goal contributions in 44 matches.
Who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or and how did England fare?
Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona clinched the women’s award for a historic third time. England’s Lionesses were well represented in nominations, highlighting the UK’s growing influence in women’s football.
What makes the Ballon d’Or so significant for the UK?
The Ballon d’Or remains the ultimate recognition for footballers worldwide, sparking widespread debate and national pride within the UK every year. It inspires players and fans alike, as Premier League stars challenge for global supremacy.
Conclusion
Ballon d’Or 2025 will be remembered for ushering in a new era of footballing greats, with Ousmane Dembélé standing at the summit. With rising talents, fierce club rivalries, and British hopes fuelled by grassroots growth, the quest for football’s highest honours remains a captivating journey. The UK’s fascination with the Ballon d’Or continues, reflecting both the nation’s sporting heritage and its ongoing ambition to produce the game’s next global superstar.
For more on this and breaking British news, visit Liverpool Daily news.
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