DOHA, Qatar, December 18, 2025: French forward Ousmane Dembélé was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2025 at the annual awards ceremony in Doha on Monday, marking the Paris Saint-Germain winger’s first win at the prestigious global football event. Dembélé secured the honor following a season of consistent excellence for club and country, capping a year that also saw him claim the Ballon d’Or. The 28-year-old attacker outperformed a competitive shortlist that included Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. His performances throughout the 2024-2025 season were instrumental in Paris Saint-Germain’s most successful campaign in the club’s history, including their first UEFA Champions League title, a Ligue 1 championship, and the Coupe de France. His ability to influence key matches with goals, assists, and creative playmaking earned widespread recognition from fans, journalists, national team captains, and coaches who contributed to the global voting process.
Dembélé’s success represents a career-defining moment for the France international, who has overcome several years of injuries to reach the pinnacle of world football. In the voting breakdown released by FIFA, he received a clear majority of first-choice selections, reflecting his decisive impact on the international stage and his resurgence as one of Europe’s most complete attacking players. The award is based on performances between December 2023 and November 2025, encompassing both domestic and international competitions. In addition to Dembélé’s accolade, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí was named The Best FIFA Women’s Player for the third consecutive year. The Barcelona midfielder maintained her dominance in world football by leading her club to another UEFA Women’s Champions League title and contributing significantly to Spain’s victories in international tournaments. Bonmatí’s consistent form and leadership on the field have established her as one of the most decorated players in the modern era of the women’s game.
Other notable winners at the 2025 ceremony included Luis Enrique, who received The Best FIFA Men’s Coach award after guiding Paris Saint-Germain to a historic treble. England’s Sarina Wiegman was honored as The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for her continued success with the national team, marking her fifth win in the category. Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma claimed the Best Men’s Goalkeeper award, while England’s Hannah Hampton was recognized as Best Women’s Goalkeeper following standout performances at both club and international levels. The FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year went to Argentina’s Santiago Montiel for his long-range strike during a Copa Libertadores match. In the women’s category, Mexico’s Lizbeth Ovalle was presented with the Marta Award for the best women’s goal, recognizing her precise finish in an international fixture earlier in the year. Both goals were selected through a combination of fan voting and expert panel assessments.
FIFA awards celebrate achievements across global football
FIFA’s The Best awards are determined through an established voting process that includes national team coaches and captains, select journalists, and a public fan vote, ensuring a balanced representation across global football communities. The awards, introduced in 2016, celebrate the sport’s highest individual and collective achievements across a range of categories, honoring performances over the preceding year rather than calendar milestones. Dembélé’s triumph underscores the resurgence of French football on the world stage, following the country’s deep run at recent international tournaments and continued influence across Europe’s elite leagues. His contributions to PSG’s historic Champions League run, particularly his match-winning performances in the semifinal and final stages, were key to securing the Paris club’s first European crown. The winger’s technical skill, pace, and creative link-up play with Kylian Mbappé and Vitinha were widely cited as central to the club’s success.
Doha hosts a night celebrating football’s finest achievements
The 2025 The Best ceremony, hosted by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, took place before an audience of leading footballers, coaches, and officials at Doha’s National Convention Centre. The event also paid tribute to the late German legend Franz Beckenbauer, whose influence on modern football continues to resonate across generations. A series of video montages highlighted Beckenbauer’s career achievements and his contributions to both FIFA and global football development, receiving a standing ovation from attendees. The evening featured live performances and the presentation of special recognition awards to community and grassroots football initiatives supported by FIFA across Africa, Asia, and South America. Dembélé’s award concludes an extraordinary year for both player and club, positioning him among the select few to have won both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s top individual honor in the same year. His recognition caps a season that restored Paris Saint-Germain’s prominence in European football and reaffirmed his place among the sport’s global elite. – By Content Syndication Services.
