PSG’s Ousmane Dembele Wins Ballon d’Or, Says Award Was Never a Personal Goal
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- Sep 23
- 1 min read
Paris, Sept 23, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Paris St Germain forward Ousmane Dembele said winning the Ballon d’Or was never a personal target but admitted he could not hold back tears when speaking about his family after being named the world’s best player on Monday.
Dembele, 28, became the first Frenchman since Karim Benzema in 2022 to lift the award after helping PSG secure their first-ever Champions League crown last season.
“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 told Reuters after beating Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal to the prize.
He added that although individual recognition was never his goal, the award marked a special moment. “It was never a personal objective. On an individual level, having a trophy like this is magnificent. But when it happens, of course, you’re happy, you’re delighted.”
Asked whether the accolade was the “people’s Ballon d’Or,” a label once used by Benzema, Dembele replied: “Benzema is the people’s Ballon d’Or, the first one, and I am the second.”
Dembele dedicated the award to PSG, saying it was also for the fans, staff, and teammates. He is currently recovering from injury but said he expects to return soon.
