<p>After a season where he helped Paris Saint-Germain make history by winning their first UEFA Champions League title, Ousmane Dembele has been named the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner. He edged out teenager Lamine Yamal, who was widely expected to challenge for the prize, but ultimately came second.</p> <p>Dembele’s performances were decisive to win the prestigious award. Once moved up to a striking position by coach Luis Enrique, he delivered when it mattered most, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists in 53 matches across all competitions</p> <p>&nbsp;During the past season, PSG also swept the board domestically, claiming Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the Super Cup to complete an impressive treble.</p> <h2>Lamine Yamal: Young Star, Strong Push</h2> <p>Lamine Yamal, just 18 years old, marked another outstanding season for Barcelona and for himself.</p> <p>Though he missed out on the top prize, he did win the Kopa Trophy as the best under-21 player for the second year in a row.</p> <p>Yamal’s output (goals, assists, influence) made him one of the most talked-about young players in world soccer. His second place in this Ballon d’Or contest might actually solidify his reputation more than a win would have, as many see him as the “new Messi” with many years to come at the pinnacle of world soccer.</p> <h2>Aitana Bonmatí: Third Consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin</h2> <p>On the women’s side, Barcelona’s midfield maestro Aitana Bonmatí claimed the Ballon d’Or Féminin for a third straight year.</p> <p>She now joins Lionel Messi and Michel Platini as the only players to ever win three in a row.</p> <p>Despite Barcelona falling short in the Champions League final against Arsenal, her consistent brilliance throughout the season was enough to carry her to the top.</p> <h2>Why This Ballon d’Or Stands Out</h2> <p>This 2025 Ballon d’Or feels different in several ways.</p> <p>First, Dembele’s transition from a backup or sidelined figure to leading man shows how changes in position, confidence from the manager, and form can transform a player’s season.</p> <p>Second, the young players (especially Yamal and Juventus star Kenan Yildiz) showed that the next generation is knocking loudly on the door.</p> <p>Finally, Bonmatí’s achievement in the women’s game underscores just how dominant she is and how important consistency is in winning awards.</p> <h2>Looking Ahead: What This Means for Soccer &amp; Betting Odds</h2> <p>Big awards often reshape expectations. For clubs, players, and fans the narrative shifts: who can challenge Dembele next season? Which younger stars will step up? Will Yamal and Yildiz really become the two stars European soccer has been missing since Messi and Ronaldo dominated the scene?</p> <p>These changes also feed directly into betting markets. Dembele will now be considered a frontrunner in many “next winner” Ballon d’Or predictions, and Yamal’s odds will likely shorten.</p> <p>For those learning <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/premier-league-betting-guide">how to bet on Premier League</a>, following voting trends, dominance in club and continental matches, and media narratives around stars like Bonmatí can all provide valuable insight.</p> <p>Keeping an eye on <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/tips-predictions-soccer">daily soccer predictions</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer">the latest soccer odds</a> will remain essential for anyone looking to get useful information about players in top form and teams that are expected to do well in national and international competitions.</p>