Ousmane Dembélé Wins 2025 Ballon d’Or; Kylian Mbappé Congratulates

Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d'Or after a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain, where he contributed 35 goals and 16 assists, helping the club win all domestic trophies and the UEFA Champions League. His victory marked a significant career revival after injury struggles at Barcelona, and he edged out strong contenders like Mohamed Salah, Raphinha, Vitinha, and Lamine Yamal. Kylian Mbappe, Dembele's French national teammate and former PSG teammate, congratulated him warmly on social media, expressing heartfelt admiration and acknowledging Dembele's deserving win. Despite being a top player himself, Mbappe did not contend for the award in 2025 and was absent from the ceremony, reportedly in protest over perceived snubs of other players. Previously, Mbappe had come close to winning the Ballon d'Or in 2023 but lost to Lionel Messi, whom he congratulated graciously. These developments highlight the shifting dynamics in elite football, with Dembele's resurgence contrasting Mbappe's recent challenges in clinching the sport's highest individual honor.