Key Takeaways:
- Ousmane Dembele secured the Ballon d’Or following a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain
- Dembele is the first player since Michael Owen in 2001 to claim the Ballon d’Or representing a club from his home country
- No Bundesliga player has featured in the Ballon d’Or top three over the past three years
Dembele’s Landmark Achievement
Ousmane Dembele has won the Ballon d’Or after an outstanding campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, marking a significant milestone in both his career and French football history. He stands as the first footballer since 2001 to collect the accolade while playing for a club from his home nation, with Michael Owen (Liverpool) being the last to do so.
Ousmane Dembélé – 4e Ballon d'or sacré dans notre championnat 🏆🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/j6nmBlcy5O
— Ligue 1 McDonald's (@Ligue1) September 22, 2025
Ligue 1 Successes in Ballon d’Or History
Dembele now becomes the fourth player from Ligue 1 to capture the prestigious award. The select group includes Jean-Pierre Papin (Marseille – 1991), George Weah (Paris Saint-Germain – 1995), and Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain – 2021 and 2023).
| Year | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Jean-Pierre Papin | Marseille |
| 1995 | George Weah | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2021 | Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Latest | Ousmane Dembele | Paris Saint-Germain |
Long Drought for Bundesliga Players
Amongst Europe’s top five leagues, the Bundesliga has witnessed the longest interval since seeing one of its players receive the Ballon d’Or. Matthias Sammer achieved the honour in 1996, becoming the sixth recipient from Germany’s top division. However, for the past three years, Bundesliga players have not featured amongst the Ballon d’Or top three finalists.
