The Ballon d'Or went to Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí: see the winners.

With Kylian Mbappé's departure to Real Madrid, a chasm seemed to open up beneath Paris Saint-Germain's feet. But then Ousmane Dembélé, hampered by injuries and overshadowed by other stars, emerged, taking on the responsibility and being rewarded with a Ballon d'Or.

For years, dismissed as immature, fragile, and imprecise in front of goal, Dembélé stepped up to take PSG to European heaven and become the sixth French player to win the coveted individual award on Monday. This reward crowns the incredible 2024-2025 season of 'Dembouz', who was voted best player in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

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The former FC Barcelona player has been able to add to his unbalancing game an unprecedented precision in front of the opponent's goal, reflected in his 35 goals in 53 matches across all competitions (Ligue 1, Champions League, Coupe de France, Club World Cup and French Super Cup).

Much improved on his previous best record of 14 goals in 2018-2019 with Barça, Dembélé, currently injured in a thigh injury, has had by far the best season of his career.

Last European winter, the ambidextrous winger scored back-to-back hat tricks against Stuttgart in the Champions League and against Brest in Ligue 1, marking the start of his run towards the Ballon d'Or.

'Simply extraordinary' -

"He had an extraordinary season, efficient in front of goal, but when you see everything he brings on the pitch in terms of build-up play, all his defensive efforts, it's simply extraordinary," said his PSG teammate Désiré Doué. Indeed, beyond his statistics, his influence on the game is one of the keys to PSG's success, as a false 9, half-attacking midfielder and half-striker, where he found a home under his coach Luis Enrique. "I would give the Ballon d'Or to Ousmane Dembélé, simply for his defensive style," said the Spanish coach after the title in Munich against Inter Milan (5-0).

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Dembélé succeeds Karim Benzema in 2022, Zinédine Zidane in 1998, and Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and Jean-Pierre Papin as the French players crowned the best in the world. The Ballon d'Or is "the grail," Dembélé told Le Monde at the end of August. And he has found it in his first appearance among the 30 finalists. Since his arrival in Paris in the summer of 2023, Dembélé has been climbing the ranks of the Parisian team.

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Documentaries and Aznavour

Considered by Luis Enrique as " the most disruptive player " in the world, he became the team's attacking reference at his coach's request in the summer of 2024 following the departure of his friend Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid. But this step forward isn't just the responsibility of his coach.

The player, born in Vernon, Normandy, who grew up with his mother and four siblings in the working-class neighborhood of La Madeleine in Evreux, an hour's drive from Paris , now has a group of specialists looking after him.

See more: Gilberto Santa Rosa's concerts in Colombia are canceled: his work visa was denied. A physical trainer, a nutritionist, a video analyst, but above all his agent Moussa Sissoko, and the faithful friend he grew up with, Moustapha Diatta, have helped him trust in himself, to not get injured as often thanks to a more peaceful life.

The former Rennes player, who is not very imposing in physique, has changed his style of play, making fewer runs and dribbles, passing more, and learning to find the best position to score.

In the locker room, " I'm a joker with everyone ," says Ousmane Dembélé, often smiling while his teammates show serious, focused expressions.

A lover of fashion, of singer Charles Aznavour, but also of animal and history documentaries, Dembélé is the father of an eight-year-old daughter. They say he's a homebody. Now you'll have to find a spot in his home for a Ballon d'Or. Winners in all categories

- Men's Ballon d'Or Ousmane Dembélé (FRA/Paris Saint-Germain).

- Women's Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmatí (ESP/FC Barcelona).

- Johan Cruyff Trophy (Best Coach) Luis Enrique (ESP/Paris Saint-Germain). - Johan Cruyff Trophy (Best Coach) Sarina Wiegman (NED/England Women's National Team). - Gerd Müller Trophy (Best Forward) Viktor Gyökeres (SWE/Sporting Portugal and Arsenal). - Gerd Müller Trophy (Best Forward) Ewa Pajor (POL/FC Barcelona). - Raymond Kopa Trophy (best young player) Lamine Yamal (ESP/FC Barcelona).- Raymond Kopa Trophy (best young player) Vicky López (ESP/FC Barcelona).- Lev Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper): Gianluigi Donnarumma (ITA/PSG and Manchester City).- Lev Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper): Hannah Hampton (ENG/Chelsea).- Socrates Award (charity action) Xana Foundation.- Best men's team: Paris Saint-Germain.- Best women's team: Arsenal.AFP