‘Doesn’t mean anything to me’ — Dembele reacts to winning Ballon d’Or

Fresh off winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembele has downplayed the personal significance of football’s most prestigious individual prize.

The PSG star opened up in an honest interview with France Football, reflecting on his journey, his mindset, and his place among football’s elite.

Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d’Or after a remarkable season that saw him lead PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph.

The French winger’s dazzling form and decisive performances earned him the award comfortably, but he insists it was never a personal obsession.

“I never let winning the Ballon d’Or get into my head. It went to me and, towards the end, I went to it,” he told France Football.

Dembele’s win also places him among an elite group of players as he is now only the tenth footballer in history to have lifted the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or.

Yet, the 28-year-old is quick to reject the “best player in the world” label, even after pipping Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to the award.

“Those are big words. Being the best player in the world doesn’t mean anything to me. It can change every weekend. You’re no good in a game, they say you’re bad, and in another game, you’re the best in the world.”

In the interview, Dembele also took a moment to pay tribute to the last Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or before him, Karim Benzema, who lifted the trophy in 2022. The PSG forward expressed deep respect for Benzema’s journey and the shared cultural roots that shaped both of their careers.

“We both grew up in the suburbs to stand at the highest level in the world. He’s the first people’s Ballon d’Or, I’m the second one,” Dembele said.

This acknowledgement highlights how much his background means to him. For Dembele, the award is not just about personal achievement but about representing the communities that shaped his character and drive.

His victory is a historic moment for French football, marking a new era where talent from the suburbs continues to shine on the global stage. But true to his nature, Dembele remains unfazed by the spotlight and focused more on what lies ahead than on the accolades already secured.