By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele has been crowned the world’s best player after winning his first-ever Ballon d’Or in Paris.
The 28-year-old Frenchman delivered a stunning season, scoring 35 goals and providing 14 assists across 53 matches as PSG swept to a historic treble, including their maiden Champions League title.
Dembele, joint top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals, was named both Ligue 1 and Champions League Player of the Year. His switch to a central striker role in December under Luis Enrique proved decisive, sparking a remarkable scoring spree that reignited his career. Once written off at Barcelona despite a record €135m transfer, Dembele has now fulfilled his long-touted potential. Signed by PSG for just €43.5m in 2023, he repaid the bargain in style.
An emotional Dembele, in tears on stage, beat Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal and PSG teammate Vitinha to the award.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah came fourth, while last year’s winner Rodri failed to make the shortlist. Dembele becomes only the sixth Frenchman to claim the Ballon d’Or, and the second this century after Karim Benzema in 2022.
