By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Paris Saint-Germain forward, Ousmane Dembélé broke down in tears on Monday night as he dedicated his 2025 Ballon d’Or triumph to his family, PSG, and the club’s supporters.
The France international, who scored 35 goals and provided 15 assists last season to help PSG secure their first UEFA Champions League title, said winning the award was never a personal target.
However, he broke down when speaking about his family, especially his mother, as he dedicated the honour to those who stood by him throughout his career.
“I didn’t want to cry, but as soon as I started talking about my family, about the people who have been there for me, it came up and I couldn’t hold it back,” Dembele said during his speech.
He also expressed deep gratitude to the Parisian club, singling out the president, coaching staff, manager Luis Enrique, and his teammates, describing them as an incredible family. He added that the Ballon d’Or was not just an individual award but a trophy the team has won collectively.
Dembele also thanked his former clubs Rennes and Barcelona and paid tribute to role models he had played alongside, including Lionel Messi. He confessed to feeling stressed when receiving the trophy from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, recognising the magnitude of the moment.
His words drew applause from the audience, with many moved by his sincerity and tears. For a player who has faced injuries, criticism, and doubts throughout his career, the Ballon d’Or win marked the peak of his journey, one he was eager to share with those who stood by him.
