Ousmane Dembélé, from Ligue des champions triumph to Ballon d'Or, the year's generous hero | OneFootball

In L'Équipe’s reporting, Ousmane Dembélé was named Champion des champions France 2025 after a dream half-year. The PSG forward rose from popular figure to the defining hero of 2025.

His surge rests above all on Paris Saint-Germain’s spring in the Ligue des champions, capped by a 5-0 win over Inter Milan on 31 May. That success owed to both ends, with Gianluigi Donnarumma decisive and Dembélé rampant as a centre forward. Without one or the other, Paris might not have gone all the way.

The autumn accolades rewarded a technical shift, becoming both a centre forward and a finisher, the former largely under Luis Enrique, the latter by himself. Just as vital, his body finally held for half a year at 28 after injuries had chased him since 18.

He remained generous, triggering the press, harrying defences and shrinking opponents’ time on the ball. In the final he was immense without scoring, and his team-mates’ long-standing affection turned to admiration.

After the Ballon d’Or the human frailties returned. He was injured again, hurried back, missed chances and has featured mostly in short spells, and it is said he is frustrated by limited minutes under Luis Enrique. Since September he has not reconnected with his recent golden thread.

That is what makes his 2025 compelling, between an incomparable 2024 and the unknowns of 2026. Questions linger over the suspicions that accompany him and whether he can find a similar completeness again.

Source: L'Équipe