Ballon d'Or awardees with Brazilian great Ronaldinho (third left).
Credit: Reuters Photo
The Ballon d'Or, which is literally the 'Football Oscars' was held at the Theatre du Chatele in Paris on Monday (September 22).
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger Ousmane Dembele won the men's honour as a reward for his starring role in the club's UEFA Champions League triumph last season, while Spain's Aitana Bonmati claimed the women's prize for the third year in a row.
The Ballon d'Or is voted for by a panel of journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings for the men, and from the top 50 for the women.
Here is the full list of winners.
Men's Ballon d'Or: Ousmane Dembele
Dembele was named the world’s best player of the season as he claimed the Ballon d’Or on a night of triumph for his PSG club.
The 28-year-old France forward, who needed time and the guidance of PSG coach Luis Enrique to fulfill his potential as he inspired the capital club to their first UEFA Champions League title last season, became the sixth French player to lift the award and the first since Karim Benzema in 2022.
He beat Spain and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, with his PSG team-mate Vitinha taking third place.
Women's Ballon d'Or: Aitana Bonmati
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Bonmati won the women's prize by edging out her international team-mate Mariona Caldentey, with whom she played in the Spain side who were beaten on penalties by England in the Women's Euro 2025 final.
The 27-year-old, also lost the Women's UEFA Champions League final with her club last season, at the hands of Caldentey's Arsenal.
Men's Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal
Lamal, who was a team-mate of Dembele at Barcelona when he first broke through in 2023, won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged Under-21 -- the second year running he has taken that award.
The 18-year-old was instrumental for club and country as Barcelona won La Liga and Spain reached the UEFA Nations League final.
Women's Kopa Trophy: Vicky Lopez
The 19-year-old forward, who is a team-mate of Bonmati with Barcelona and Spain, was named best young women's player. At 18 days and 342 days old, Lopez had become Spain's youngest player to appear at the European Championship. Lopez had also become the youngest player to play in Spain's top women's league when she played for Madrid CFF aged 15.
Best goalkeepers: Donnarumma (Men); Hannah (Women)
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who played an instrumental role in PSG's UEFA Champions League triumph was recognised as top goalkeeper with the Yashin trophy. The Italian has moved on from French League and is currently plying his trade in Premier League with former champions Manchester City. England's Hannah Hampton became the first winner of the women's trophy on Monday night.
Best coaches: Enrique (Men); Sabrina (Women)
The Spaniard, who anchored PSG to their maiden UEFA Champions League triumph was was voted best coach. The Johan Cruyff award was befitting for Enrique as he ended the Qatar-owned French club's long-wait for European glory. England coach Sabrina Wiegman won the award as best female coach as the Three Lionesses retained the Women's Euro.
Clubs of the year: PSG (Men); Arsenal (Women)
PSG, winners of UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and who ended up as runners-up at FIFA Club Word Cup was adjudged the best men's club.
The corresponding honour in the women's section went to Arsenal, who won the Women's UEFA Champions League.
Highest goals: Gyokeres (Men); Pajor (Women)
Viktor Gyokeres, who currently plies his trade with Arsenal in Premier League, won the Gerd Muller Trophy for highest goals scored in season, a feat he accomplished with Portugal's Sporting CP last year.
Ewa Pajor of FC Barcelona won the women's honour. The Polish striker scored 43 goals from 45 games for the Catalan club in her first season since moving from Wolfsburg.
(with inputs from agencies)