Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year, capping off a remarkable season that has firmly established him among football’s modern greats.
The 28-year-old received the prestigious honour at a star-studded ceremony held in Qatar on Tuesday, following an extraordinary 2024–25 campaign in which he played a decisive role in PSG’s most successful season in history. The award further crowns a year of personal and collective triumphs for the French international, who also lifted the Ballon d’Or in September, completing an elite double rarely achieved in the modern era.
Dembélé’s impact was instrumental as Paris Saint-Germain secured four major trophies, including their long-awaited and historic first-ever UEFA Champions League title. His performances throughout the campaign were a blend of creativity, precision, pace, and maturity, showcasing the evolution of a player once labelled inconsistent into one of the most decisive attackers in world football.
Having joined PSG from FC Barcelona in 2023, following earlier stints at Borussia Dortmund and the Catalan giants, Dembélé has flourished under the guidance of head coach Luis Enrique. During the award eligibility period, he recorded an impressive 51 goal contributions in 53 appearances, a statistic that underlines his influence across competitions.
His stellar displays saw him edge out strong competition for the FIFA Best award, including Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé, to claim football’s top individual honour. The award recognises performances between August 2024 and August 2025 and is voted for by national team coaches, captains, journalists, and football fans worldwide.
Dembélé was present at the ceremony just days before PSG’s Intercontinental Cup final clash against Brazilian giants Flamengo, further highlighting his central role in a season filled with high-pressure, high-stakes encounters.
Although the 2024–25 campaign began modestly for the Frenchman, his fortunes changed dramatically following a tactical adjustment by Luis Enrique. Initially deployed on the flanks, Dembélé was repositioned as a central striker, a move that proved transformative. From that point, his goal-scoring instincts flourished, and his confidence soared.
He finished the season with 35 goals in all competitions, eight of which came in the Champions League. Several of those strikes proved decisive, including crucial goals against Liverpool and Arsenal during the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition. His composure in big moments and ability to rise on the grandest stages became defining traits of PSG’s historic run.
Beyond club football, Dembélé also delivered on the international stage. He played a vital role in helping France secure qualification for next summer’s FIFA World Cup, reaffirming his importance to the national team. The two-time world champions have been drawn into a challenging group featuring Senegal, Norway, and one of the play-off winners, as they prepare for another global title challenge.
Dembélé’s latest accolade places him among an elite group of football icons who have won the FIFA Best Men’s Player award since its introduction in 2016, including legends such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. For a player whose career once faced questions due to injuries and inconsistency, this recognition marks a powerful narrative of resilience, growth, and fulfilment of immense potential.
Despite already achieving football’s highest individual honours, the PSG forward shows no signs of slowing down. In the early stages of the current season, he has already registered three goals and three assists across all competitions, continuing to set the standard for excellence both domestically and in Europe.
Dembélé’s journey from a promising winger to a complete forward and global football icon reflects years of hard work, tactical evolution, and mental strength. His recognition as FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year not only celebrates an exceptional season but also signals his arrival at the very summit of world football.
As PSG look ahead to further domestic and international challenges, and France eyes another World Cup campaign, Ousmane Dembélé stands at the centre of both ambitions — a symbol of consistency, brilliance, and elite performance on the world stage.
Follow Africa Live News for more global sports updates and breaking stories:
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/africalivenews2
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africalivenews
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricaLiveNews
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@africalivenews
