Ousmane Dembele’s victory in the 2025 Ballon d’Or is a fitting culmination of his remarkable redemption story. After years of struggles, Dembele has finally realized his immense potential, leading PSG to the Champions League and domestic triumphs, making him the world’s best player.
Ousmane Dembele Deserved the 2025 Ballon d’Or: PSG Star’s Redemption Story
In 2025, Ousmane Dembele stands tall as the Ballon d’Or winner, a feat that once seemed out of reach for the enigmatic French winger. But the story of Dembele’s redemption—from wasted years at Barcelona to a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic season—has led to this well-deserved moment.
Dembele’s journey to football’s most prestigious individual award has not been a smooth one. Known for his dazzling ability but equally for his inconsistency and injuries, Dembele’s career seemed to be on a knife’s edge for years. However, the 2024-25 season saw him finally come of age and realize the potential many had always seen in him.
The PSG Triumph: A New Chapte
It was a Champions League win that solidified Dembele’s case for the Ballon d’Or. PSG, under Luis Enrique, claimed their first European Cup title in the club’s history—a significant achievement for a club founded only in 1970. Dembele played an integral role in PSG’s remarkable campaign, with his dynamic performances and versatility leading the charge.
This season was special for PSG not only because of their long-awaited continental success but also because it was a season where Dembele truly flourished. His transformation from a raw, unpredictable talent to one of the world’s best was capped off with his Ballon d’Or triumph, a reward for his perseverance and growth.
The Wasted Years at Barcelona
Dembele’s time at Barcelona is often remembered as a period of unrealized potential. Signed for a staggering €135 million, he was expected to replace Neymar and light up the Camp Nou. But the pressure of Barcelona’s immediate expectations, combined with Dembele’s off-field habits and frequent injuries, meant that the raw talent he possessed was often overshadowed by inconsistency.
Many had written him off by the time Xavi Hernandez took over at Barcelona in 2021, but the real turning point came when Dembele signed a new contract in 2022. A year later, he would be on his way to PSG, a club that would help him re-discover his best form.
PSG’s System Fits Dembele Perfectly
At PSG, Dembele found a system more suited to his style. His position shift from the right wing to a central role in the attack allowed him to thrive, contributing to 35 goals and 16 assists by the end of the 2024-25 season. His remarkable form in the league (16 goals between December and March) was key to PSG’s success, as they dominated both domestic competitions and European football.
Dembele’s transformation was not just about numbers. His work rate, leadership, and defensive contribution also elevated PSG. He became a relentless pressuring force up top, forcing defenders to make mistakes, as seen in their 4-0 Club World Cup win over Real Madrid, where Thibaut Courtois highlighted how Dembele’s pressing disrupted their entire game.
The Mbappe-Dembele Dynamic
The Ballon d’Or race in 2025 was not only about Dembele, but also about Kylian Mbappe, his friend and former teammate at PSG. Mbappe has been touted as a future Ballon d’Or winner for years, but Dembele’s explosive form in the 2024-25 season placed him ahead in the conversation. Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid opened the door for Dembele to lead PSG into a new era, and he did so in grand fashion, cementing his place as the world’s best.
Their intertwined careers have always been compared, but in the 2024-25 season, Dembele’s consistency and maturity won out. Even Mbappe himself praised his friend’s performances, endorsing Dembele as his pick for the Ballon d’Or.
A Well-Deserved Victor
Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win was not just a triumph for him, but a victory for persistence, redemption, and the realisation of raw potential. His path has been full of challenges, but his performance during the 2024-25 season showed that he could rise to the occasion and perform when it mattered most.
While others, like Lamine Yamal and Mbappe, will have their time to shine, Dembele’s moment in 2025 is well-earned. With PSG’s historic season and his individual brilliance, Dembele truly deserves to be called the best in the world.
What’s Next for Dembele?
Having realized his potential and achieved his dream of winning the Ballon d’Or, Dembele will now look to build on his success. PSG’s future is bright, and with Dembele leading their attack, the club will be looking to dominate European football for years to come. But for now, this is Dembele’s moment—a career finally fulfilled.
