What Messi and Ronaldo Never Managed, Dembélé Has Achieved

For more than a decade, world football’s individual honours were virtually a private domain of two names: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Between them, they defined an era, monopolising the Ballon d’Or, FIFA’s Best Player award, and countless other accolades. As these two modern legends gradually move into the twilight of their extraordinary careers, a new generation has begun to assert itself. Among them, none has made a louder statement in 2025 than Ousmane Dembélé.

The French winger has enjoyed a season for the ages, transforming brilliance into silverware and reputation into history. Playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Dembélé was instrumental in delivering the club’s long-awaited first UEFA Champions League title, completing a historic treble alongside domestic league and cup triumphs. That collective success has now been matched—if not surpassed—by his individual accolades.

The latest and perhaps most symbolic addition to his honours cabinet came on Sunday night in Dubai, where Dembélé was crowned Globe Soccer Awards Men’s Best Player of the Year. With that recognition, he achieved something neither Messi nor Ronaldo ever did: winning the Ballon d’Or, FIFA Best Men’s Player, and Globe Soccer Best Player awards all in the same calendar year.

Established in 2010, the Globe Soccer Awards recognise excellence through a two-stage voting process. First, football fans across the world vote from a shortlist of nominees. This is followed by a final decision combining public votes with the assessments of a specialist jury comprising journalists, coaches, agents, and former players. Emerging victorious from such a diverse and global evaluation underscores the breadth of Dembélé’s impact in 2025.

Ousmane Dembélé’s Major Individual Awards in 2025 :

On the pitch, Dembélé’s numbers speak volumes. Across all competitions, he scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists, combining flair with consistency and decisive influence. His performances helped PSG secure six trophies in total during the year, while individually eclipsing elite contemporaries such as Kylian Mbappé, Raphinha, Vitinha, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in the race for top honours.

Reflecting on his Globe Soccer triumph, Dembélé struck a characteristically humble tone. He thanked the fans who voted for him, his teammates, the club’s leadership, sporting director Luís Campos, and head coach Luis Enrique. “Individual awards are special,” he said, “but I have always believed the team comes first.”

Key Winners at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards :

While Messi’s eight Ballon d’Ors and Ronaldo’s five remain untouchable in volume, Dembélé’s unprecedented “triple crown” of individual awards marks a defining shift in football’s modern narrative. In 2025, the spotlight belongs firmly to him—and history will remember it as the year Ousmane Dembélé did what even the greatest could not.