A near-perfect year propelling Dembélé toward another global trophy

Few players in world football have shined as brightly in 2025 as Ousmane Dembélé. Fresh off winning his first Ballon d’Or just three months ago, the Paris Saint-Germain star now heads into the FIFA The Best 2025 ceremony as the overwhelming favorite. The awards will take place during an intimate dinner event in Doha on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup final.

Unlike the Ballon d’Or—voted exclusively by journalists—The Best incorporates votes from national team coaches and captains. In that arena too, Dembélé’s extraordinary season has earned him massive support thanks to his consistency, leadership and decisive performances.

Dembélé’s central role at PSG and Luis Enrique’s influence

Under Luis Enrique, the French winger has become the heart of a PSG side that conquered the treble and redefined its attacking identity. His impact goes far beyond raw statistics: his explosiveness, creativity and reliability in key moments have elevated him to the status of global superstar.

The Spanish manager, himself the frontrunner for The Best Coach award, has repeatedly highlighted Dembélé’s irreplaceable role. From league titles to PSG’s dominant Champions League final win over Inter, Dembélé was the spark that illuminated the club’s most successful season to date.

Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia and the women’s race

The ceremony will also feature a strong Barcelona presence on the women’s side. Aitana Bonmatí is poised for a historic third consecutive The Best title, while Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina and Mariona Caldentey all enter the conversation.

The challengers—and why Dembélé still stands above the rest

Contenders such as Lamine Yamal, runner-up in the latest Ballon d’Or, and Raphinha, who finished fifth, will feature in the voting. Yet none match Dembélé’s unmatched combination of team success, individual dominance and big-match influence.

With 55 appearances, 11 goals, 14 assists and vital performances across all competitions—including Morocco’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup—Dembélé has set a standard no one else has matched this year.

Will Dembélé claim The Best?

The final verdict will be delivered in Doha, but everything indicates that Ousmane Dembélé is on the brink of sealing the finest year of his career with yet another global crown. If the pattern holds, 2025 will be remembered as the year the PSG star ascended to the very top of world football.