Ousmane Dembélé Wins Ballon d’Or
Ousmane Dembélé, the talented forward from Paris Saint-Germain, has claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or, surpassing Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal. This accolade comes after an impressive season during which PSG clinched a historic treble, including their first Champions League title, alongside victories in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France. Dembélé, who is currently sidelined due to injury and did not participate in PSG’s recent match against Marseille, accepted the award at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on a momentous evening for football enthusiasts.
Significance of the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football, recognizes the top men’s football player based on a combination of factors, including individual performance, team success, and sportsmanship, as determined by the votes of international journalists. An emotional Dembélé expressed his gratitude, saying:
“What just happened to me is incredible. I’m speechless. It’s been an amazing season with PSG. I’ve experienced incredible things, and I’m a little nervous; it’s not easy. Receiving this trophy from Ronaldinho is exceptional. I want to thank PSG for signing me in 2023.”
Dembélé’s Journey and Impact
The 28-year-old forward, who succeeded Manchester City’s Rodri as the award winner, reflected on his career beginnings, acknowledging how he had captured attention as a promising talent at Rennes and later Dortmund. His recent form since leaving Barcelona and joining PSG for €50 million has solidified his status among the elite in football, especially under the guidance of manager Luis Enrique.
Dembélé thanked the PSG staff and his teammates, mentioning:
“Luis Enrique has been like a father to me. He has significantly influenced my career. This individual honor is shared with my teammates. We’ve worked hard to achieve these team trophies, and this award is a mark of our collective effort.”
Starting his journey at Barcelona, where he was purchased for over €100 million, Dembélé faced challenges in consistently meeting expectations during his six years there. However, he found new life at PSG, particularly after Kylian Mbappé‘s departure to Real Madrid, which allowed Dembélé to take a more central role on the pitch, netting 35 goals and providing 16 assists throughout the season. This outstanding performance was pivotal for the treble-winning PSG team.
Competition and Other Highlights
In the running for the Ballon d’Or alongside Dembélé was 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who played a significant role in Barcelona’s successful campaign, earning LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa. Yamal showcased his abilities in key moments, including during the Champions League semifinals and the Clásico against Real Madrid. He was also awarded the Kopa Trophy, presented to the best under-21 player, during the event.
In other highlights from the ceremony, Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona secured her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin, making her one of only three players in history to achieve such a feat alongside Michel Platini and Lionel Messi. The Gerd Müller trophy was awarded to Viktor Gyökeres and Ewa Pajor for their scoring prowess, while Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hannah Hampton were named the world’s best goalkeepers.
Luis Enrique and England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman also received the Johan Cruyff trophies for their coaching excellence this past year. Dembélé’s recognition at this event underscores his remarkable turnaround in form and reinforces PSG’s dominance in European football this season.
