Dembele crowned world’s best as PSG star scoops Fifa award after trophy-laden year

Ousmane Dembele has been named Fifa Best men’s player of the year, capping a stunning season with Paris St-Germain that ended with silverware piling up and his reputation soaring.

The 28-year-old France forward picked up the award in Qatar on Tuesday night, adding to the Ballon d’Or he collected back in September after a breathtaking 2024-25 campaign. Dembele helped PSG win four trophies, including a long-awaited first Champions League crown, and was the standout performer in Luis Enrique’s side.

Dembele finished last season with 51 goal contributions in 53 games, numbers that finally silenced doubts that followed him from Barcelona. After a slow start to the campaign, his season caught fire when Enrique shifted him into a more central role, a move that changed everything.

Eight of his 35 goals came in Europe, with crucial strikes against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knockout rounds before PSG beat Inter Milan in the final. That run saw Dembele edge out Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe for the Fifa prize.

“I feel proud, it’s a special moment,” Dembele said after collecting the award, which is voted for by national team coaches, captains, journalists and fans, covering performances between August 2024 and August 2025. He was in attendance despite PSG preparing for Wednesday’s Intercontinental Cup final against Flamengo.

The honour places Dembele alongside some serious company, joining Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the list of winners since the award began in 2016. He has already chipped in with three goals and three assists this season, while also helping France qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

There was more PSG flavour in the team of the year, with six players from the French champions included. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer were the only Premier League-based names to make the cut, alongside Jude Bellingham, Pedri and Yamal.

Elsewhere on the night, Independiente winger Santiago Montiel landed the Puskas Award for his outrageous overhead kick in Argentina, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was named goalkeeper of the year after his Champions League heroics before his move to Manchester City. PSG boss Luis Enrique also saw off Arne Slot and Hansi Flick to win coach of the year, underlining just how dominant the Paris side has been.