Paris St-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembélé has been crowned FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year, capping a remarkable 2024–25 campaign that firmly established him among football’s elite. The 28-year-old received the prestigious honour at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, just months after also lifting the Ballon d’Or.

Dembélé’s individual recognition follows a season of extraordinary team and personal success, highlighted by PSG’s first-ever Champions League triumph and a clean sweep of domestic trophies.

A Season That Redefined Dembélé’s Career

After joining Paris St-Germain from Barcelona in 2023, Dembélé endured an inconsistent start to the 2024–25 season. However, his campaign was transformed after head coach Luis Enrique redeployed him in a more central attacking role.

The tactical shift proved decisive. Dembélé finished the season with 51 goal contributions in 53 appearances, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists across all competitions. His performances were instrumental as PSG lifted four trophies, including Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League.

Eight of Dembélé’s goals came in Europe’s premier club competition, with crucial strikes against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knockout rounds helping PSG reach the final.

Beating Football’s Biggest Names

Dembélé’s crowning moment came after beating Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona to the FIFA Best award. His victory reflects not only statistical excellence but also decisive performances on football’s biggest stages.

The FIFA Best Men’s Player award is determined by a global voting process involving national team captains, national team coaches, journalists, and fans, covering performances between August 2024 and August 2025.

By winning the award, Dembélé joins an elite group of past recipients that includes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, further cementing his place in modern football history.

Champions League Glory Seals Legacy

PSG’s Champions League success was the defining chapter of Dembélé’s season. After years of near-misses, the Parisian club finally lifted the trophy under Luis Enrique’s leadership, with Dembélé emerging as the team’s attacking focal point.

His composure, versatility, and finishing ability were central to PSG’s tactical evolution, marking a dramatic turnaround from earlier injury-hit seasons in Spain.

Dembélé attended the awards ceremony just one day before PSG’s Intercontinental Cup final against Flamengo, underlining the relentless pace of elite-level football.

Team of the Year Dominated by PSG Stars

PSG’s dominance was further reflected in the FIFA Men’s Team of the Year, with six players from the French champions making the final selection.

The full Team of the Year was:

• Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG / Manchester City)
• Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
• Willian Pacho (PSG)
• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
• Nuno Mendes (PSG)
• Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
• Vitinha (PSG)
• Pedri (Barcelona)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer were the only Premier League players included.

Montiel Wins Puskás Award for Stunning Overhead Kick

The ceremony also celebrated individual brilliance with Santiago Montiel winning the Puskás Award for goal of the year. The Independiente winger claimed the prize for his spectacular overhead kick against Independiente Rivadavia in Argentina’s Primera División.

Montiel’s strike secured a 1–0 victory in May and made him the second consecutive Argentine to win the award, following Alejandro Garnacho in 2024.

“I didn’t think about it, I just hit it,” Montiel said after receiving the award.

Donnarumma Named Goalkeeper of the Year

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year after playing a pivotal role in PSG’s Champions League triumph before completing a move to Manchester City in September.

The 26-year-old kept a clean sheet in the final against Inter Milan and finished ahead of Alisson Becker, Emiliano Martínez, David Raya, and Thibaut Courtois to claim the award for the first time.

Luis Enrique Crowned Coach of the Year

PSG’s historic season was capped off with Luis Enrique being named FIFA Coach of the Year. The Spanish manager masterminded Champions League victories over Liverpool, Arsenal, and Inter Milan, delivering the biggest prize in European club football to Paris.

Although unable to attend the ceremony, his award was collected by assistant coach Rafel Pol Cabanellas. Enrique beat Arne Slot of Liverpool and Hansi Flick of Barcelona to the honour.

A Defining Night for PSG and Dembélé

The 2025 FIFA Best Awards highlighted a shift in the global football landscape, with PSG’s long-term project finally delivering European dominance. At the heart of that success stood Ousmane Dembélé—a player whose career has been redefined by consistency, leadership, and elite-level performances.

With domestic dominance secured and Champions League glory achieved, Dembélé now enters the next phase of his career as the undisputed best player in the world.