Tearful Dembele Credits Family for Ballon d'Or Triumph

Dembele's emotional ballon d'or win, 'couldn't hold back tears'

Ousmane Dembele breaks into tears as he dedicates his Ballon d'Or win to family and Paris Saint-Germain. Read more about his emotional reaction.

“Yes, of course, it’s for the team. For all the people who are fans of me, all the Parisian supporters...”

Ousmane Dembele, the France international and Paris Saint-Germain forward, was overcome with emotion as he dedicated his Ballon d'Or win to his family, PSG, and the club's supporters. He revealed that winning the prestigious award was never a personal goal, but the moment he started talking about his family, he couldn't hold back tears.

Dembélé's voice trembled as he expressed his gratitude to PSG, singling out the president, coaching staff, manager Luis Enrique, and his teammates, describing them as an incredible family. He emphasized that the Ballon d'Or wasn't just an individual award but a trophy the team had won collectively.

The striker's triumph marks a remarkable turnaround in his career, from struggling with injuries and inconsistency to becoming a decisive player for PSG. He played a pivotal role in the team's historic season, helping them claim their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, alongside winning the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.

Key Highlights of Dembélé's Achievement:

• First French Winner Since 2022: Dembélé became the first Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or since Karim Benzema in 2022.

• PSG's Dominance: The award underscores PSG's exceptional year, with the club winning multiple titles, including the Champions League.

• Team Effort: Dembélé dedicated the award to PSG, emphasizing the team's collective effort in achieving their goals.

• Personal Redemption: The win marks a personal redemption for Dembélé, who has faced injuries and criticism throughout his career.

Beaucoup de joie, de fierté et d’émotion. Un rêve devenu réalité. Merci à tous ceux qui m’ont toujours soutenu tout au long de ce parcours. #ballondor pic.twitter.com/dLTgZXqa6d

— Ousmane Dembélé (@dembouz) September 23, 2025

Ousmane Dembélé broke into tears while dedicating his Ballon d'Or win to his family and Paris Saint-Germain. “I didn’t want to cry, but as soon as I started talking about my family, about the people who have been there for me, it came up and I couldn’t hold it back,” he shared with reporters.

The 28-year-old forward emphasized that winning the Ballon d'Or wasn't a personal goal for him, but the moment he received the award, he couldn't help but feel elated. “It was never a personal objective,” Dembélé said. “On an individual level, having a trophy like this is magnificent. But when it happens, of course, you’re happy, you’re delighted.”

Ousmane Dembélé responded humbly when asked if his Ballon d'Or win made him the “people's Ballon d'Or,” a title previously attributed to Karim Benzema. “Benzema is the people’s Ballon d’Or, the first one, and I am the second,” Dembélé said, showing respect for his predecessor.

Ousmane illuminates the Capital 🌟#Ballondor pic.twitter.com/u0jndAlbXG

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 23, 2025

Dembélé emphasized that the award wasn't just his own achievement but also a testament to his team. “Yes, of course, it’s for the team. For all the people who are fans of me, all the Parisian supporters, the whole club, the staff and the players,” he said, expressing gratitude to Paris Saint-Germain.

After being sidelined with an injury in recent weeks, Dembélé provided a positive update on his recovery. “It’s better, I’ll be back soon,” he assured, hinting at his eagerness to return to the pitch.