Ousmane Dembele has been crowned FIFA’s Best Men’s Player for 2025, capping a sensational year that saw him lead Paris Saint Germain to Champions League glory. The French winger pipped the likes of Vinicius Jr, who won it last year, to complete a remarkable personal double after his Ballon d’Or triumph last autumn.
It’s been some resurgence for the 27 year old, whose career has hit new heights. The 2024/25 campaign was arguably his finest, netting 35 goals and laying on 15 assists as PSG swept up four trophies. That Champions League win was the big one, and Dembele’s contributions were central. “I wanted to thank my teammates. Hard work pays off, it’s been a fantastic year for me, both individually and collectively,” Dembele said after picking up the award in London.
The stats from that dream season makes for impressive reading. He weren’t just PSG’s top scorer in all comps, he also bagged the Champions League Player of the Tournament award and a spot in the competition’s Ideal XI. In Ligue 1, he finished as the division’s top scorer. Boss Luis Enrique has consistently hailed him as the side’s main attacking catalyst, pointing out that Dembele broke the deadlock a team high nine times last term. Only Rennes’ Desire Doue (185) completed more dribbles than Dembele’s 160 a sign of the winger at his electrifying best.
This season, however, has been a different story. Injuries has plagued Dembele’s start. He’s managed just 12 appearances from PSG’s 23 matches so far, with only five starts. A return of three goals and three assists is a far cry from last year’s output. The Parisian outfit have had to cope without their talisman for large spells as they fight on multiple fronts.
Despite the slow start, Enrique’s faith in his star man remains absolute. The Spanish gaffer is banking on Dembele returning to his peak form to fire the club’s trophy charge once again. With crucial Champions League knockout ties and a tight Ligue 1 title race with Nice ahead, PSG will need their FIFA Best winner back to his blistering best if they’re to repeat last year’s historic haul. For now, though, Dembele can reflect on a golden year fully recognised at the very top of the game.
