Ousmane Dembele, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, was awarded the 2025 Ballon d'Or in a ceremony held in Paris. The 28-year-old Frenchman, after receiving the coveted trophy, delivered an emotional acceptance speech, during which he was overcome with tears.

Dembele's victory marks a significant moment in his career, solidifying his place among football's elite. He becomes the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or, following in the footsteps of Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema. He is also the second PSG player to win the award, after Lionel Messi in 2023.

The PSG star's journey to the Ballon d'Or has been one of perseverance and triumph over adversity. After a high-profile move to Barcelona, Dembele faced challenges in establishing himself. However, since joining PSG, he has flourished, particularly after coach Luis Enrique repositioned him as a central forward. Last season, Dembele played a pivotal role in PSG's historic Champions League campaign and domestic success, including winning Ligue 1 and the French Cup. His contributions to PSG's pressing game and defensive work in the Champions League final were also highly praised.

During his acceptance speech, Dembele expressed his gratitude to several key figures and groups. He thanked PSG for acquiring him in 2023, acknowledging the club as an "incredible family". He lauded club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi as a father figure and expressed appreciation for the coaching staff, particularly Luis Enrique, whom he credited as being the most influential coach in his career. Dembele also extended his thanks to his teammates, emphasizing that the Ballon d'Or was a collective achievement. He also expressed his gratitude to his former club, FC Barcelona, and Lionel Messi, acknowledging the valuable lessons he learned playing alongside the Argentinian. Furthermore, he vowed to win another World Cup with the French national team and coach Didier Deschamps.

The most poignant moment of Dembele's speech came when he turned his attention to his family. As he spoke about his mother's unwavering support and the sacrifices his family made, he was unable to contain his emotions and broke down in tears. The hosts invited his mother to join him on the podium, where they shared an embrace. Dembele recounted his difficult upbringing and how much his family had sacrificed for him to reach his current level. He also thanked his hometown and the people in his neighborhood for their support.

Dembele's heartfelt reaction resonated with many, highlighting the personal significance of the award and the challenges he overcame to achieve his dream. His tears were a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and sacrifices that underpinned his journey to becoming the world's best player.