Ousmane Dembele named FIFA’s best men player of 2025, Aitana Bonmati wins women’s award for third time

DOHA – France and Paris Saint-Germain attacker Ousmane Dembele looked back on a “fantastic year” after he won The Best FIFA Men’s Player award at a ceremony in Doha on Dec 16, while Barcelona midfield maestro Aitana Bonmati collected the women’s prize.

Dembele, 28,

won the Ballon d’Or in September

as he was rewarded for an exceptional season with PSG which culminated in the Ligue 1 club’s first Champions League title.

“I wanted to thank my teammates. Hard work pays off, it’s been a fantastic year for me, both individually and collectively,” he said after the ceremony, which took place on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and Brazilian side Flamengo in Qatar, which ended after press time.

“I hope to come back here again next year.”

Dembele, who was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018, scored 35 goals in all competitions in the 2024-25 season, in which PSG claimed a French league and Cup double, as well as European glory.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona player initially struggled for form in the first half of that season, but his performances took a turn for the better after he was deployed as a centre-forward rather than a winger.

Eight of his 35 goals came in the Champions League, including important strikes against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knockout stages.

The Frenchman has now made his mark as one of the best players in the world, and he joins an illustrious list of names to have won this award – including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“The dynamic attacker has been rewarded following an incredible season for PSG,” said a statement on FIFA’s website. “He was a talismanic figure during the club’s run to a maiden UEFA Champions League title, scoring eight times and providing six assists during their triumphant European campaign.”

PSG’s Spanish coach Luis Enrique was named best coach of a men’s team, ahead of Barcelona’s Hansi Flick and Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

Meanwhile, Bonmati, 27, was crowned women’s player of the year for the third time in a row, after also picking up her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin in the autumn.

“I am grateful to have the honour, thank you to the players, coaches and fans who have voted for me to win this award,” the midfielder said.

The individual awards come at the end of a year of ups and downs for the Spaniard, who won the Spanish domestic league crown but lost both the Champions League and European Championship finals.

Bonmati was named Player of the Tournament at the Euro, despite not starting either of Spain’s first two matches as she recovered from a bout of viral meningitis.

She is currently out of action after fracturing her leg in training on the eve of Spain’s successful Nations League final, second-leg win over Germany.

England manager Sarina Wiegman picked up the award for best coach of a women’s side after she won a third consecutive Euro title in the summer.

In the goalkeeping category, Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City after winning the Champions League with PSG, picked up the men’s award, while Chelsea’s Euro 2025 winner Hannah Hampton won the women’s award.

Santiago Montiel clinched the coveted Puskas Award for best goal of the year thanks to his overhead kick from outside the penalty area for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia in an Argentinian top-flight match.

Lizbeth Ovalle’s scorpion kick for Tigres against Guadalajara in a Mexican league match won the Marta Award.

The winners were chosen by a combined vote of fans, media representatives, captains and national team coaches for their performances between Aug 11, 2024 and Aug 2, 2025. AFP, REUTERS