Paris Saint-Germain international French forward Haussman Dembele was selected as the men’s Baron d’Or winner in 2025, while Spain’s international Aitana Bonmati in Barcelona has won the women’s title for the third year in a row.
The pair were awarded the trophy, which was recognized as the most prestigious individual award in football at the theatre du Chatelette in Paris, France on Monday.
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Dembele saw a strong competition from Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal, who won the first Champions League title in May and supported the Spanish club in La Liga’s title year.
But there was better news for Barca forward Bonmati associates.
Dembele succeeded Manchester City midfielder Rodri and became the sixth Frenchman after Raymond Copa, Platini, Jean Pierre Pappin, Zinedine Zidane and Karim Benzema.
Bonmati won ahead of his Spanish teammate Mariona Caldente.
Dembele outperforms Yamal for the club, if not the country
The award concluded an astonishing turn of wealth for Dembele, who was snuck by PSG manager Louis Enrique at one point last season on disciplinary grounds. However, once relocated as No. 9, he became a scoring machine and inspired PSG’s historic Champions League campaign. The French club also completed the quadruple layer last season.
Dembele was praised for his way he contributed to the press of PSG after the Champions League final and for his ability to defend in Inter Milan’s 5-0 defeat. He scored 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 official matches last season, and was involved in 14 Champions League goals (8 goals and 6 assists) in 15 appearances.
Dembele received the Baron de Orle from former winner Ronaldinho and shed tears during her acceptance speech.
“It’s incredible to win a trophy like this,” he said in French. “I worked for the team and helped win PSG’s first Champions League. It’s really exceptional to be rewarded with individual trophies like Barondoor.”
Barca forward Yamal, who turned 18 in July, also reached the Champions League semi-finals when Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and Spain’s top flight last season. Yamal has been awarded the Copa Award for players under the age of 21 for the second year in a row.
“I need to continue working to win other awards in the future,” Yamal said through a translator.
Dembele was injured but was able to attend the ceremony in Paris, and his team lost 1-0 Marseille in the French league. He was one of nine PSG players nominated for men’s awards, including goalkeeper Genluigi Donnaruma, Forward Desire Doo and Winger Kvicha Kvaratzkeria, who scored twice in the Champions League final.
Bonmati ascends a straight Barondor for the third time, rising from Spain’s defeat
Bonmati lost to England in a penalty shootout in the final of the Women’s European Championship last summer, but she was named the tournament’s best player.
Bonmaty’s spot kick in the shootout was one of two saved by England’s Hannah Hampton, who was named the best female goalkeeper.
“This is the third time in a row, and I still can’t believe it,” Bonmaty said. “I owe it all to Barcelona. This is the club of my life.”
She won the domestic highs at Barcelona and reached the Champions League final.
Barcelona has won the past five women’s awards, but it was expected that the British would win for the first time. England won the Euro and Arsenal won the Women’s Champions League. However, with five England players among the top 10 female candidates, the best position was Alesia Arsso, third.
Other Trophies from the Ballon D’Or Awards
Barcelona forward Vicki Lopez won the Women’s Copa Trophy and Salina Wigman, who led England to a European victory, won the Johann Cruyfe Prize. On a great night for PSG, Luis Enrique won in the men’s category.
PSG was named Best Men’s Club, and Donnarumma was awarded the Best Goalkeeper Lev Yashin Award. Stopping a shot at the knockout stage proved essential to PSG’s success, Donnarumma left for Manchester City during the offseason. Hampton crowned the best female goalkeeper.
The men’s and women’s Guard Muller trophies for top scorers went to Evapajor and Victor Gyoker in Barcelona.
