Lionel Messi’s vote at the 2025 FIFA The Best Men’s Player awards has added a compelling chapter to the year’s football narrative. In a decision that reflects both personal insight and professional admiration, the Argentine legend selected his former Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembélé as the world’s finest male footballer of the year.
The prestigious award was officially presented on Tuesday evening at a glittering ceremony in Doha, Qatar. There, Dembélé—now a key attacking force for Paris Saint-Germain—was crowned FIFA The Best Men’s Player 2025, marking the most significant individual accolade of his career to date.
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A Closely Contested Race :
The final shortlist featured three outstanding talents from different stages of footballing life. Dembélé ultimately edged past Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, whose meteoric rise has captivated the football world, while Real Madrid’s French superstar Kylian Mbappé completed the top three.
According to FIFA’s published voting details, Messi ranked Dembélé first, Mbappé second, and Yamal third on his personal ballot. FIFA confirmed that votes were collected globally from national team captains, head coaches, and one accredited media representative from each football federation—ensuring a balanced and transparent selection process.
Dembélé’s Defining Year :
For Ousmane Dembélé, 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary. Under his influence and leadership, Paris Saint-Germain enjoyed the most successful season in their history. The club lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time ever, finally conquering Europe after years of near misses. Domestically, PSG also secured the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France, completing an historic treble.
Dembélé’s individual contributions were equally remarkable. Across all competitions, he scored 35 goals in 53 appearances, combining explosive pace, refined finishing, and tactical maturity. Once considered a player of immense but inconsistent potential, he emerged in 2025 as a decisive leader capable of delivering on the grandest stages.
A Bond Forged in Barcelona :
Messi’s endorsement carries particular significance given their shared history. The two stars spent four seasons together at Barcelona, where Dembélé developed under Messi’s guidance and example. Even after Messi’s move to PSG in 2021, the mutual respect between the pair remained evident. Earlier in September, following Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or triumph, Messi publicly congratulated him—an early signal of his admiration.
Key Facts at a Glance :
| Category | Details |
| Award | FIFA The Best Men’s Player 2025 |
| Winner | Ousmane Dembélé |
| Club | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Matches Played (2025) | 53 |
| Goals Scored | 35 |
| Messi’s Vote | 1. Dembélé, 2. Mbappé, 3. Yamal |
| Ceremony Location | Doha, Qatar |
A Vote That Resonates :
Adding FIFA The Best to his growing list of honours represents a defining moment for Dembélé. Yet the recognition is amplified by the support of Lionel Messi—widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. In many ways, Messi’s vote symbolises more than preference; it is an acknowledgement that Dembélé has truly arrived at the summit of world football.
As the sport transitions between generations, this moment stands as a powerful reminder: greatness is not only measured in trophies and goals, but also in the respect earned from legends who have shaped the game itself.