Table of Contents
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, held on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, celebrated the finest achievements in football for the 2024-25 season. The 69th edition of the prestigious awards introduced new categories, including the inaugural women’s Kopa and Yashin Trophies, and honored players, coaches, and clubs across 13 categories. Below is a comprehensive overview of the winners and their notable achievements, based on available information from the event.
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG/France)
Ousmane Dembélé claimed the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, marking a career-defining moment for the Paris Saint-Germain winger. His pivotal role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, coupled with his performances at the Club World Cup, showcased his blistering pace, creativity, and clutch goal-scoring. Dembélé edged out competitors like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, with his big-stage contributions for club and country proving decisive.
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona/Spain)
Aitana Bonmatí secured her third consecutive Women’s 2025 Ballon d’Or, cementing her status as one of the game’s all-time greats. The Barcelona midfielder’s masterful control, vision, and leadership in midfield drove her club’s continued dominance in women’s football and Spain’s international success. Bonmatí outshone Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo, reinforcing her era-defining consistency.
Men’s Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal made history by winning the Men’s Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive year, becoming the award’s first back-to-back recipient. Awarded to the best male player under 21, the Kopa Trophy recognized Yamal’s extraordinary influence as a two-way winger, with his minutes and output far exceeding expectations for his age. His rapid rise signals a potential future Ballon d’Or contender.
Also Read: Rosemary Wanjiru Wins 2025 Berlin Marathon
Women’s Kopa Trophy: Vicky López (Barcelona/Spain)
The inaugural Women’s Kopa Trophy, for the best female player under 21, went to Barcelona’s Vicky López. Her versatility, composure under pressure, and final-third flair highlighted her breakout season with La Masia’s latest prodigy. This win underscores Barcelona’s continued excellence in developing young talent in the women’s game.
Men’s Yashin Trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy → Manchester City)
Gianluigi Donnarumma earned the 2025 Men’s Yashin Trophy as the world’s best male goalkeeper. His exceptional shot-stopping and clutch saves during PSG’s continental campaign, followed by a high-profile move to Manchester City, secured his place. Donnarumma’s recognition continues the legacy of Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to win the main Ballon d’Or.
Women’s Yashin Trophy: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea/England)
Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton claimed the first-ever Women’s Yashin Trophy as the top female goalkeeper. Her commanding performances in the Women’s Super League and European competitions, particularly in high-stakes moments, earned her this historic honor. Hampton’s win marks a significant step in recognizing goalkeeping excellence in women’s football.
Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal/Sweden)
Viktor Gyökeres won the Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy as the top male goalscorer, recognized for his prolific output across club and international matches. His ruthless finishing for Arsenal and Sweden topped global goal charts during the award period, showcasing his elite penalty-box presence.
Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Ewa Pajor (Poland)
Poland’s Ewa Pajor took home the Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy for her exceptional goal-scoring prowess. Her clinical finishing and penalty-box craft distinguished her as the standout female striker of the season.
Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Luis Enrique (PSG)
Luis Enrique was awarded the Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy as the best men’s coach. His tactical clarity, high-pressing system, and squad optimization led PSG to a dominant treble, earning him this prestigious coaching honor.
Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Sarina Wiegman (England)
Sarina Wiegman received the Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy as the top women’s coach. Her leadership in guiding England to back-to-back European Championships and her cultural impact on the women’s game solidified her as a transformative figure in football.
Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
PSG was named the Men’s Club of the Year, reflecting their dominance in the 2024-25 season. Their treble and strong representation among 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees underscored their supremacy in European football.
Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal Women
Arsenal Women claimed the Women’s Club of the Year award, celebrated for their continental championship success and exemplary recruitment and balance. Their ability to perform in high-pressure matches set them apart.
Significance of the 2025 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
The 2025 Ballon d’Or was a landmark event, with the introduction of women’s Kopa and Yashin Trophies achieving greater parity in recognizing excellence across genders. Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, shone through Yamal and López’s Kopa wins, while PSG’s dominance was evident in Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or and the club’s overall haul. The ceremony, co-organized by France Football and UEFA, evaluated performances from August 1, 2024, to July 13, 2025, for men (FIFA Club World Cup final) and August 2, 2025, for women (Copa América Femenina final). Voting was conducted by journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked men’s nations and top 50 women’s nations, ensuring a global perspective
While some sources noted partial rankings for nominees (e.g., Michael Olise and Florian Wirtz for men; Caroline Weir and Steph Catley for women), the final top placings for the main Ballon d’Or awards were not fully detailed in all reports, emphasizing the focus on the winners.
This year’s gala not only honored individual and collective brilliance but also highlighted the evolving inclusivity of football’s most prestigious awards, setting the stage for future milestones in the sport.
