Ousmane Dembélé has officially been crowned the king of world football, winning the prestigious 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or award. This monumental achievement follows an unforgettable season with Paris Saint-Germain, where the French forward showcased exceptional talent, registering an impressive 33 goals and 12 assists, and contributing to the club securing four trophies. Dembélé shared his elation on Instagram, posting photos from the award ceremony with a caption that translates to: “So much joy, pride, and emotion. A dream come true. Thank you to everyone who has always supported me throughout this journey.”

To celebrate this incredible milestone and for those keen to learn more about the football star, here are five intriguing facts about the Ballon d’Or winner:

Firstly, Dembélé's roots are deeply connected to West Africa, despite being born and raised in France. His father hails from Mali, while his mother has Mauritanian and Senegalese heritage. His family, especially his mother Fatimata, played a significant role in his early career, from supporting his move to Rennes to ensuring he remained grounded as his career ascended.

Secondly, one of Dembélé's most formidable attributes is his exceptional two-footed ability. He exhibits equal confidence with both his left and right foot, making him incredibly unpredictable and lethal on the pitch. Whether cutting in from the wing, striking from distance, or assisting teammates, defenders often find it challenging to anticipate his next move.

Thirdly, Dembélé is a devout practicing Muslim, and his faith serves as a constant guiding force in his life. Demonstrating his commitment, he famously donated his earnings from France's 2018 World Cup victory to fund the construction of a mosque in his mother's hometown in southern Mauritania. He is also known to engage in prayer before matches and has played while observing the fast during Ramadan.

Fourthly, Dembélé once held the title of the second most expensive player in the world. In 2017, Barcelona secured his transfer from Borussia Dortmund for a fee exceeding £135 million. Although injuries initially impacted his tenure in Spain, he still managed to net 40 goals for Barça before making his move to PSG.

Finally, Dembélé has proven unstoppable with PSG. Earlier in the season, he made history by scoring hat-tricks in two consecutive official matches: first in the Champions League against Stuttgart, followed by another in Ligue 1 against Brest. This remarkable feat made him the first PSG player ever to achieve consecutive hat-tricks in different competitions.