Ousmane Dembélé Wins FIFA Men’s Player of the Year After Trophy-Laden PSG Season
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named FIFA Men’s Player of the Year, capping a remarkable 12 months in which he established himself among...
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named FIFA Men’s Player of the Year, capping a remarkable 12 months in which he established himself among world football’s elite. The 28-year-old received the honour at a ceremony in Qatar on Tuesday, just days after having already claimed the Ballon d’Or earlier this season.
The award recognises performances between August 2024 and August 2025 and is decided through votes from national team coaches, national captains, journalists, and fans worldwide.
A Defining Season With PSG
Dembélé’s victory follows a standout 2024–25 campaign in which he played a central role in PSG’s most successful season to date. Under head coach Luis Enrique, the French international helped the club secure four major trophies, including a historic first UEFA Champions League title.
Statistically, his impact was decisive. Dembélé registered 51 goal contributions in 53 matches, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists across competitions. Eight of those goals came in the Champions League, with crucial strikes in knockout-stage wins over Liverpool and Arsenal.
His season turned after a tactical shift midway through the campaign, when Enrique redeployed him from the wing into a more central attacking role—unlocking his scoring consistency and leadership in the final third.
Beating Elite Competition
Dembélé finished ahead of Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé to secure the FIFA honour. His selection reflects not just individual brilliance but also his influence in PSG’s landmark European success.
Having joined PSG in 2023 after spells with Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, Dembélé has now fully delivered on long-held expectations about his potential at the highest level.
A Place Among Football’s Greats
With this win, Dembélé joins a distinguished group of players—most notably Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—who have claimed the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award since its introduction in 2016. The recognition further underlines his standing as one of the defining players of the current era.
Although PSG’s new season is still in its early stages, Dembélé has already contributed three goals and three assists across competitions, continuing his strong form.
International Impact With France
On the international stage, Dembélé has also played a key role in France’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The two-time world champions have been drawn in a challenging group alongside Senegal, Norway, and one of the intercontinental play-off winners.
France’s coaching staff see Dembélé as a central figure in their World Cup ambitions, particularly given his versatility and recent evolution into a reliable goalscorer.