The Theatre du Châtelet filled with flashing cameras and a buzz of anticipation on the night of the Ballon d'Or 2025. CBS Sports' Kate Scott, together with Dutch legend Ruud Gullit, took the stage to welcome a packed hall and millions of viewers streaming live on the Golazo Network and YouTube. The setting felt like a movie premiere – velvet seats, crystal chandeliers, and a line‑up of players who had defined the season.
While the ceremony’s glitz was impressive, the real drama centered on the men’s main prize. Paris Saint‑Germain’s winger Ousmane Dembélé entered the room with a résumé that boiled down to clutch performances for club and country. Across the room, Barcelona’s 17‑year‑old winger Lamine Yamal sported an all‑black suit that turned heads and a season that made headlines everywhere.
Yamal’s meteoric rise was the talk of the evening. He not only challenged Dembélé for the Ballon d’Or but also captured the Men’s Kopa Trophy, the award given to the best young player. His speed, dribbling and knack for picking out a pass turned him into a household name in just one campaign.
Dembélé, meanwhile, argued his case with a blend of flair and consistency. His goals and assists helped PSG stay in the hunt for domestic silverware while his contributions for France kept the national side competitive on the world stage.
Women’s football shone just as brightly. Barcelona’s Vicky López walked away with the Women’s Kopa Trophy, and Spain’s star forward Aitana Bonmati was crowned Women’s Ballon d’Or winner. England coach Sarina Wiegman received the Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy for coaching excellence, mirroring Luis Enrique’s award on the men’s side.
Goalkeeping honors went to Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton (Women’s Yashin Trophy) and Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma (Men’s Yashin Trophy). The Gerd Müller Trophy for top scorer was awarded to Poland’s Ewa Pajor (Women) and Sweden’s Viktor Gyökeres (Men). In club categories, Arsenal earned Women’s Club of the Year while PSG took Men’s Club of the Year. The Socrates Trophy, which celebrates humanitarian work, was given to the Xana Foundation.
Beyond the trophies, the night underscored a clear shift in football’s power balance. Young talents like Yamal are no longer waiting in the wings; they’re stepping onto the biggest stages and taking home the biggest awards. At the same time, seasoned stars such as Dembélé prove that experience still commands respect.
As the applause faded and the lights dimmed, one thing was evident: the story of this Ballon d’Or will be told for years to come, not just for who walked away with the golden ball, but for what it says about the future of the beautiful game.
