Paris St-Germain attacker Ousmane Dembele has been chosen as the men’s player of the year at the FIFA Best ceremony, held in Qatar on Tuesday evening.
Paris St-Germain attacker Ousmane Dembele has been chosen as the men’s player of the year at the FIFA Best ceremony, held in Qatar on Tuesday evening.
The 28-year-old France international adds the honor to the Ballon d’Or he collected in September, capping a memorable 2024-25 campaign with the Ligue 1 champions.
Dembele was rewarded after playing a central role in PSG’s four-trophy haul last season, producing 51 goals or assists across 53 appearances under head coach Luis Enrique.
Having joined the French club from Barcelona in 2023, he edged past Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe to secure the accolade.
He attended the gala shortly before PSG’s Intercontinental Cup showdown with Flamengo, scheduled for Wednesday.
The voting period, which covered performances from August 2024 through August 2025, involved national team managers, captains, media representatives, and supporters worldwide.
Although Dembele endured a slow start to the 2024-25 season, his campaign was transformed after a positional switch that saw him operate through the middle.
He netted 35 times in all competitions, with eight of those strikes arriving during PSG’s Champions League run, including decisive moments against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knockout rounds.
Those contributions proved vital as the Paris side lifted Europe’s top club prize for the first time in their history.
This achievement places Dembele alongside past winners such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo since the award’s launch in 2016.
So far this season, Dembele has registered three goals and three assists across all tournaments for PSG.
On the international front, he also played his part in guiding France into next summer’s World Cup finals.
The two-time champions have been drawn in a group alongside Senegal, Norway, and one team emerging from the playoffs.
Six players connected to PSG’s 2024-25 squad were included in the men’s team of the year, underlining the club’s dominance.
Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer were the only Premier League-based names selected.
The full XI consisted of Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Manchester City), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Willian Pacho (PSG), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Vitinha (PSG), Pedri (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), and Ousmane Dembele (PSG).
Independiente winger Santiago Montiel claimed the Puskas Award for his spectacular overhead finish against Independiente Rivadavia in Argentina’s Primera Division.
The goal, scored in May, secured a 1-0 victory and left goalkeeper Ezequiel Centurion helpless.
Montiel follows fellow Argentine Alejandro Garnacho, who won the prize in 2024 and said he acted on instinct when striking the ball.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was also nominated, thanks to one of his two free kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Managerial recognition
Luis Enrique was named men’s coach of the year after leading PSG to four trophies during the 2024-25 season.
The 55-year-old oversaw victories against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Inter Milan on the road to Champions League glory.
He finished ahead of Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Barcelona manager Hansi Flick in the final vote.
Unable to attend the event, the former Barcelona coach was represented by assistant Rafel Pol Cabanellas, who collected the award on his behalf.
