Under the Téléfoot spotlight, Ousmane Dembélé showed the most intimate side of his coronation. Ballon d’Or 2025 in hand, the PSG winger mixed nervous laughter, immense pride and held-back tears. Behind the golden trophy there was, above all, a family story — a single mother who carried him to the top, a city of Évreux in celebration, and a player who has never stopped embodying both thrill and resilience. He gave an unfiltered interview about his emotions and what he expects next.
Dembélé: “It’s a source of pride, it’s the recognition of all the work done.”
On emotion and family
“We’ve been rewarded with the most beautiful individual trophy.”
You don’t let go of the Ballon d’Or anymore?
“Yes, that’s right — last night I slept with it. I took a ton of photos with everyone.”
What do you feel when you hold the Ballon d’Or?
“First, it’s heavy. It’s pride, it’s recognition of the work done. It’s enormous joy, especially this 2024/2025 season with all my PSG teammates, the club, the staff — it’s been an exceptional year.”
Dembélé: “Ronaldinho wanted to cry too (laughs).”
Back to the start when Ronaldinho opened the envelope — what happened?
“There was a lot of stress. When he said my name, it was joy, I was very proud. When you see all your family, the president, Désiré, João — it’s pure happiness.”
Heart beating at 100 an hour when climbing the steps?
“Oh yes, I was sweating, I had butterflies. But after that, it’s just pride and joy.”
On the emotion when he talks about his mother:
“Ronaldinho wanted to cry too (laughs).”
Dembélé: “It’s my mother, it’s an exceptional moment.”
Is this the real Ousmane we’re seeing?
“Yes, exactly, I didn’t want to cry, but it came up — it’s the emotions, it’s the work, it’s the family who are there and very important to me.”
What moved you the most?
“A bit of everything. It’s the fact that they’re proud of me, of everything I’ve done — even if I don’t win the Ballon d’Or, they’re happy for me in football or in life. It’s just pride.”
The image with your mother?
“Yes, with my mother who raised me alone, who’s been there since the beginning — it’s her, it’s my mother, it’s an exceptional moment.”
Dembélé: “I even received a message from Lionel Messi and it means a lot to me.”
Did you make all of France cry?
“Yes, apparently, that’s what they told me. Everyone cried.”
On messages from teammates and former clubs:
“Whether from PSG or France teammates, FC Barcelona, even Dortmund, Stade Rennais — everyone sent me messages. I even got messages from David Beckham congratulating me, it’s exceptional. I even received a message from Lionel Messi and it means a lot to me. He’s my favourite player, getting a message from him is exceptional.”
A player who influenced your career?
“Yes, at Barcelona, I always had a great relationship with him. It’s exceptional.”
Dembélé: “It’s a public holiday in Évreux.”
You’ve made a lot of kids dream, especially in Évreux?
“It’s a holiday in Évreux. It’s an exceptional moment, they were all happy and proud.”
You wanted to become a big player early on — now it’s done…
“Yes, it wasn’t easy, but there were also very good moments. That’s daily life, you have to learn.”
Dembélé: “I had a lot of injuries and that’s where I learned the most.”
What setback taught you the most?
“I think it’s injuries. I had a lot of them and that’s where I learned a lot about my body and became much more professional. Especially my 7 years at FC Barcelona where I learned and grew a lot.”
Criticism never affected you?
“When you’re 18 to 23–24, criticism is difficult. When you’re young… but over time it passes and anyway you can’t please everyone — there are 8 billion people on earth, maybe more, no one has unanimous approval.”
Dembélé: “He’s a great coach and a great guy too.”
When did you feel a turning point?
“I think last season. The coach put me as a number 9, it’s a position I love a lot. I often said it, even to my coaches — put me up front and I can surprise you.”
Did Luis Enrique play a role?
“Of course, he gave me a lot of confidence from day one and still does. He’s a great coach and a great guy too.”
When did you think this could be PSG’s season and yours?
“When we knocked out Liverpool, because at that moment they were one of the toughest teams in the world. We started badly losing and then did the job at Anfield — that’s when we realised.”
Dembélé: “It’s the first Champions League with a perfect match from start to finish.”
What’s the memory you’ll never forget?
“The win in Munich. It’s the first Champions League with a perfect match from start to finish, and it’s the image everyone had been waiting for — lifting the Champions League with PSG, it’s exceptional.”
Your favourite song “et Ousmane Ballon d’Or”?
“Yes, that’s it. DJ Snake is one of the propaganda chiefs — he did an amazing job.”
Dembélé: “They welcomed me wonderfully and I’ve always had a good relationship with the fans.”
About the fans:
“Having so much support from the fans since I signed for PSG, from day one, they welcomed me wonderfully and I’ve always had a good relationship with them. They’re happy with me, I try to give everything for them.”
Have you achieved all your dreams?
“You’re always hungry. Whether with PSG or France, once you’ve tasted this, you want it to continue.”
What would an even better season than the last look like?
“Winning every possible title with PSG, but especially the World Cup with France — it’s very important for me. We’ve been waiting for this World Cup for a long time and we’re going to prepare well.”
Dembélé: “That’s one of my objectives this season — to be very, very good with the national team.”
Can you take the same dimension with France as you did with PSG?
“That’s it, one of my goals this season is to be very, very good with the national team and especially to help France win trophies.”
You’ll have to tell Didier Deschamps that playing on the right is over?
“No honestly, it’s the coach who decides. If I say that to coach Luis Enrique he’ll say, ‘You’re crazy, you’ll go to the bench!’ (laughs).”
Dembélé: “It’s still a trophy, we’ll take it calmly.”
Can this Ballon d’Or change you?
“What should I say, ‘yes, it will change me’? No, we’ll stay the same, calm. It’s beautiful to win this trophy but it’s still a trophy — we’ll take it calmly.”
What can we wish you?
“A better season, but above all, health.”
