From Rennes to royalty: French-Malian star Ousmane Dembélé completes long road to Ballon d’Or glory

Ousmane Dembélé’s long and sometimes turbulent journey to the pinnacle of world football culminated on Monday night as the Paris Saint-Germain forward was crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.

After years of fluctuating form and persistent injuries, the 28-year-old finally realised his full potential by delivering a season of consistency and leadership that has now been recognised with the game’s most prestigious individual award.

Dembélé, who was born to a Malian father and a Mauritanian Senegalese mother, becomes the sixth Frenchman to lift the Ballon d’Or and only the second, after Jean-Pierre Papin, to do so following a full season in Ligue 1.

His story mirrors the trajectory of other understated winners such as Rodri – players who earned respect through collective impact rather than media campaigns or individual statistics.

It was once Xavi Hernández, then Barcelona coach, who famously predicted Dembélé had everything required to become the best in the world.

That vision has been realised in Paris, where the man nicknamed “the Mosquito” assumed attacking leadership after Kylian Mbappé’s departure and guided PSG to a domestic-European double.

Despite competition from Lamine Yamal and Mohamed Salah, his blend of goals, assists and relentless work rate made him an obvious choice for voters.

The winger’s career has hardly been smooth. From Rennes to Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona and now PSG, rocky exits and injury spells – especially during his time at Camp Nou – clouded perceptions of his talent.

But since being reinstated under Xavi in January 2022, Dembélé has avoided long layoffs and matured into a player capable of carrying a team.

More than his 35 goals, including 16 in 53 matches last season, it was his tactical discipline and self-sacrifice – exemplified by his performance in the Champions League final against Inter – that defined his campaign.

Seven years on from being a carefree world champion, Dembélé’s transformation under Luis Enrique has propelled him into another dimension and sealed his place among football’s elite.