Ousmane Dembélé, the 28-year-old forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, won the 2025 Ballon d’Or on Monday evening. He then took to the stage to deliver a speech, which is transcribed in full here:
Dembélé: “It’s truly an incredible family.”
Thank you all. What I’ve experienced is exceptional. I really don’t have words; it’s been an incredible year with Paris Saint-Germain. So many things have happened during my career. I’m a little nervous, too, it’s not easy (laughs).
Winning this trophy, presented to me by Ronaldinho, a football legend, is exceptional. I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved during my career. First of all, I wanted to thank Paris Saint-Germain, who signed me in 2023 with their president.
To the entire team and the entire club, it’s truly an incredible family. They have been exceptional from day one. President Nasser, with whom I’ve always been in contact, has been exceptional with me; he’s like a father to me. I also wanted to thank all the staff at Paris Saint-Germain; they have been exceptional from the beginning.
Dembélé: “He’s like a father to me.”
Luis Enrique has been exceptional with me; he’s also like a father to me. He has been a very important person throughout my career, even though it’s not over yet. And I wanted to thank my teammates; it’s all thanks to you. It’s been exceptional all year, throughout the 2024-2025 season, we won almost everything.
You supported me in good times and bad, and we managed to raise our level of play. We won all these team trophies and this individual trophy; it was the team that earned it. I wanted to thank all the clubs I’ve played for, whether it’s Borussia Dortmund, FC Barcelona, or Stade Rennais, my youth club where I learned everything.
Dembélé: “I worked for the team.”
I’m happy, even though it wasn’t a goal in my career. Winning a trophy like this is exceptional; when I see the list, there are only great players. I worked for the team to try to win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain. I tried to win the league, the cup, and being rewarded with a Ballon d’Or is exceptional. I’m happy tonight. I also want to thank all my teammates in the national team who have been important to me.
These players, with whom I grew up in the youth national teams and with whom we are now in the senior team. The national team coach has trusted me for 8 or 9 years. In good times and bad, he always calls me up for the national team, and I’ve always had his trust.
Dembélé: “I would like to thank my family.”
We hope to win a World Cup for the coach. And I wanted to thank you and all the players in the French national team. I would like to thank my hometown, Évreux, where I grew up; that’s where I kicked my first football. Every time I have free time, I try to go back to my hometown, and they have always been exceptional with me; they are always there for me, and I am very happy to have grown up in this city. Thank you.
Finally, I would like to thank my family; my mother has always been there for me; they supported me in good times and bad. I thank my agent, who always believed in me. He told me one day that I would win the Ballon d’Or. He always helped me, he always motivated me. With my best friend, for 4 or 5 years, we’ve experienced everything together. We did everything together. He was always by my side. Until the very end, we will be together. Thank you all, and have a good evening.
