Paris: Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele created history by becoming the first Black Muslim player to win the Ballon d’Or. The 28-year-old French international claimed the prestigious award after leading PSG to their first-ever Champions League victory last season.
Dembele scored 35 goals across all competitions, playing a decisive role in PSG’s treble of Ligue 1, French Cup, and Champions League titles. With Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid, Dembele was converted into a centre-forward by coach Luis Enrique. The tactical switch paid off as PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final in Munich.
“This is an emotional moment. It was an incredible season with PSG,” Dembele said at the award ceremony in Paris. He credited Enrique, who also won the Club Coach of the Year award, describing him as “like a father.” Dembele stressed that while the award recognized him, it was the team’s collective success that made it possible.
Dembele succeeded Rodri, last year’s winner, while teenage Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal finished runner-up. Yamal, 18, did receive recognition, claiming the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player for the second consecutive year.
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third year in a row.
Dembele, who was part of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, became only the third French player in the last 25 years to lift the award. His triumph is seen as both a personal milestone and a landmark moment for diversity in football.
