Ballon d'or: "He rewrote history," the world celebrates Ousmane Dembélé

The 2025 Ballon d'Or awarded to Ousmane Dembélé has united the global press in admiration. The Frenchman is being celebrated across the globe.

On Monday evening, Ousmane Dembélé made history by winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The French forward delivered PSG its first ever individual footballing crown. In Spain, where the duel with Lamine Yamal sparked passionate debate, Marca declared the result beyond question: “35 goals, 16 assists, and a Champions League title. Dembélé put together an unassailable season, a statistical masterpiece.” The Madrid paper added, “Lamine is the future, but the present belongs to Ousmane.” AS echoed that sentiment: “A worthy winner. He was the most consistent, the most decisive, and the most spectacular. The vote confirmed the obvious.”

In Barcelona, Mundo Deportivo highlighted the emotional side: “Ousmane thanked Barça, the club that saw him blossom despite his injuries. But now he has become the people’s Ballon d’Or, the kid from Vernon who climbed the mountain.” The British press bowed in respect. “Dembélé is no longer the capricious boy from Barcelona. He’s become a model professional,” wrote the Daily Mail. The Sun summed it up powerfully: “From flop to role model. He runs, he defends, he presses, he scores. He’s the heartbeat of a PSG that finally conquered Europe.”

In Germany, where he left a mark at Dortmund, Bild was direct: “The new king of world football.” The German daily, of course, alluded to his Bundesliga past: “We knew him as a rough diamond. Today, he’s polished every facet. His tears at the Théâtre du Châtelet are the revenge of a player who has suffered a lot.”

In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport emphasized the importance of PSG’s collective: “This PSG ended the era of privileges. Dembélé is the emblem of this team, without Messi or Mbappé, but finally victorious. The Frenchman proves that hard work, patience, and discipline pay off.”

In South America, Olé chose a passionate tone: “The French genius moved the world. Paris has found its new hero. Dembélé didn’t just win for himself, he won for all those who doubted him.”

In Brazil, Globo spoke of “the redemption of a fragile star, now crowned as the world’s best player.” And wrapped up with a powerful statement: “He rewrote history.”

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.