The Paris St-Germain star beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and his PSG teammate Vitinha to secure the coveted trophy.

Dembele, who was joined by his mother on stage at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, on Monday (22.09.25), said in an acceptance speech: "What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG.

"I feel a bit of stress, it's not easy to win this trophy, and to have it presented to me by Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is exceptional.

"I want to thank PSG who came to get me in 2023. It's an incredible family. The president Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] is like a father to me. I also want to thank all the staff and the coach, who have been exceptional with me - he too is like a father - and all my team-mates.

"We have practically won everything together. You supported me in the good and the difficult times. This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively."

Dembele was instrumental in PSG's Champions League victory last season, so much so he was named Champions League Player of the Season.

He also notched 21 goals in France's Ligue 1, finishing joint-top scorer in the division.

Barcelona teenager Yamal - who won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player - finished second in the Ballon d'Or vote, followed by Vitinha.

Liverpool's Mo Salah was fourth, and Yamal's Barcelona teammate Raphinha was fifth.

Dembele and Vitinha's fellow PSG stars Achraf Hakimi (sixth), Gianluigi Donnarumma (ninth) and Nuno Mendes (10th) also made the top 10, and their manager Luis Enrique was named Coach of the Year for his 2024/25 exploits with the Parisians.