In an elegant ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France Football’s 69th Ballon d’Or gala crowned Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí as the men’s and women’s players of the year, respectively.
Hosted by former Dutch great Ruud Gullit and British sports presenter Kate Scott, this edition of football’s premier individual awards carried a distinct sense of symmetry, with balanced categories for both men’s and women’s game for the first time.
The Legacy of the Ballon d’Or & the 2025 Edition
First awarded in 1956 by France Football, the Ballon d’Or has for decades symbolized the highest individual honour in the sport. For many years, it recognized only male footballers, but in 2018 the Ballon d’Or Féminin was introduced, progressively elevating the women’s game.
As time passed, other categories of awards were included to the umbrella of Ballon d’Or, including awards of youth (Kopa), goalkeepers (Yashin), top scorers (Gerd Muller), coaches (coaching), clubs (club), and even the humanitarian prize (Socrates).
This year it was staged again on 22 September at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, with nominations being announced previously (on 7 August). It was the 69th time and the awards were decided on a time frame on a seasonal basis as opposed to a calendar year, the fourth time in history. The relocation is more consistent with the cycles of the European clubs and provides a more reliable measure of performance.
The equality in award categories in both men and women football was another dimension which was significant in 2025 with equal number of awards, equal recognition. In fact, several of the awards this year were awarded in both genders (Kopa, Yashin, Gerd Muller, Coach, Club) and this is in line with the gender equity drive in the sport.
The Hosts: Kate Scott & Ruud Gullit
The gala was co-hosted by Kate Scott, a seasoned broadcaster who has previously hosted Ballon d’Or ceremonies in 2014 and 2015, and Ruud Gullit, the 1987 Ballon d’Or winner and a legend of the game. Their pairing offered both media poise and football gravitas. Scott’s television experience and Gullit’s charismatic presence made for a polished evening.
Award Ceremony Highlights & Winners
The gala flowed in a sequence designed to build tension and sustain momentum, with trophies handed out across categories in both men’s and women’s versions. Below is the complete honorary list of winners, and reflections on each award’s context and significance.
Men’s & Women’s Ballon d’Or
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Ousmane Dembélé
Dembélé claimed his first Ballon d’Or after a stellar 2024–25 season with Paris Saint-Germain, culminating in their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, coupled with domestic league and cup success.
In his acceptance, Dembélé credited his teammates and coach Luis Enrique, acknowledging the collective effort behind individual brilliance.
The win also denied young prodigy Lamine Yamal the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or record, who he finished second. - Women’s Ballon d’Or (Ballon d’Or Féminin): Aitana Bonmatí
Bonmatí made history by becoming the first player to win the women’s Ballon d’Or three consecutive times (2023, 2024, 2025).
Her consistent excellence for FC Barcelona and Spain i.e. in club and international competitions, made her a compelling choice.
These top honours underscore not just individual peaks but the cultural shift of equal footing for men’s and women’s football.
Kopa Trophy (Young Player Award)
- Men’s Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal
The 18-year-old Barcelona wunderkind claimed the Kopa Trophy for a second consecutive year, becoming the first player ever to do so. Even though he narrowly missed the main Ballon d’Or, his youth accolade reinforced that the future rests with him.
Yamal also featured among the Ballon d’Or finalists, coming in second. - Women’s Kopa Trophy: Vicky López
In a landmark moment, Vicky López (19) became the inaugural winner of the Women’s Kopa Trophy, marking Barcelona’s dominance in youth awards across both genders.
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
- Men’s Yashin Trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Donnarumma added to his legacy by securing the award for best male goalkeeper, his second such honour. His standout performances with PSG were pivotal in their run to European glory. - Women’s Yashin Trophy: Hannah Hampton
England’s Hannah Hampton became the first-ever recipient of the Women’s Yashin Trophy. Her contributions to Chelsea’s WSL success and England’s EURO 2025 campaign made her a natural pick.
Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer)
- Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Viktor Gyökeres
Gyökeres’s prolific scoring, reportedly 54 goals in 52 matches, earned him the men’s Gerd Müller Trophy, recognizing Europe’s top goalscorer in the period. - Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Ewa Pajor
For the women’s game, Ewa Pajor claimed the top scorer award with a standout 43-goal tally in 46 appearances, further solidifying her status as a lethal attacking force.
Coach of the Year (Johan Cruyff Trophy)
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique was honored for orchestrating PSG’s unforgettable season: their first Champions League victory plus domestic double. His tactical vision and ability to manage a star-laden squad were frequently praised during the evening. - Women’s Coach of the Year: Sarina Wiegman
Wiegman was recognized for steering England’s women to successive European success and for her leadership on the international stage.
Club of the Year
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
PSG’s rise to European supremacy was further rewarded with the Men’s Club of the Year trophy, a fitting complement to their trophy-laden season. - Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal
Arsenal’s women clinched the corresponding club honour, having delivered a standout campaign in the Women’s Champions League and domestic competitions.
The Sócrates Award (Humanitarian)
- Socrates Award: Xana Foundation
In a poignant moment amid the sporting spectacle, the Xana Foundation, established by Luis Enrique in memory of his daughter and dedicated to supporting children with life-threatening illnesses, was honored with the Socrates Award, celebrating impactful social engagement in football.
Streaming & Audience Access
For football fans in India, the gala was available via Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, starting at 12:30 AM IST on 23 September (which corresponds to the live French evening). The event drew global attention; a reflection of how the Ballon d’Or continues to command international viewership.
Glimpses from the Gala Night
The whole affair was full of pageantry and touching scenes:
- The emotional speech made by Dembele appealed to both fans and peers since the ceremony was held in Paris again after several years.
- Bonmati is a nice but certain person who rewarded to her peers and spoke of the meaning of equality of woman in the football world.
- Stars in the making such as Yamal and Lopez were not just praised due to their potential but because of actual performance at the highest level.
- The Socrates Award, with its humanitarian flavour of the evening made everyone remember that football can be more than just on the field.
On numerous counts, the 2025 event was like a new beginning in the history of the Ballon d’Or: equalisation of awards, recognition in all categories, and a new international presence.
What Lies Ahead: New Seasons and New Challenges
The laureates are now transferred to the altar of acknowledgment into that of anticipation. Their response will determine how they will be remembered in future.
- Ousmane Dembele must protect his first billing and cope with the mounting pressure of being the No.1 football player in the world. In the case of PSG, it will be of utmost importance to retain and maximize his services particularly during the UCL.
- Aitana Bonmati will strive to maintain her superiority, yet in a more competitive women game, she will need to develop constantly to ward off competitors.
- Already a decorated pair, Lamame Yamal and Vicky Lopez embark on seasons, where not only breakthrough but also consistency will be in demand.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hannah Hampton will be in the limelight since they will be basing their fortunes on domestic and continental campaigns.
- Viktor Gyokeres who scored the most goals, and Ewa Pajor will be expected to repeat their feats, in the presence of the tactical changes by the opponent.
- Coaches Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman are required to convert their achievements into long-term excellence with a changing expectation.
- In the case of clubs PSG and Arsenal, the Club of the Year awards put pressure on them; henceforth they will strive to rule, not to win a single banner.
The Ballon d’Or 2025 itself, and the growing trend around the world, is the acknowledgment of the role of women in football on equal terms, the promotion of young talent as well as older ones, and the broader narrative of the human change brought about by football (Socrates Award).
It is an assurance to the fans that they will not only watch tomorrow’s seasons with scoreboard eyes, but with holistic excellence parameters.
Vibhor Gautam