Ousmane Dembélé, the dynamic Paris Saint-Germain winger, was crowned the best player in the world, securing the prestigious Ballon d'Or award following a sensational season in 2024/25. This triumph was celebrated just 24 hours later at the glitzy PSG Communities Foundation Gala in Paris, an event designed to commend the club's community work and honor its players, where partners, affectionately known as WAGs, also stole the spotlight.

Dembele's victory came after an instrumental season where he spearheaded Paris Saint-Germain to a historic quadruple, clinching Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League crown. The 28-year-old winger concluded the campaign with an impressive tally of 35 goals and 16 assists, a performance that saw him emerge victorious over Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal and other top contenders for world football's most coveted individual honor. His decisive strikes at Anfield and The Emirates in the Champions League knockout rounds, alongside two crucial assists in the final, were pivotal in PSG’s maiden European conquest.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony, the 69th edition, took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where Dembélé received the Golden Ball from Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho. Yamal, who had earlier secured the Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive year, displayed remarkable sportsmanship by embracing and congratulating Dembélé on his win.

Amidst the celebrations, tributes poured in for Dembélé. Lionel Messi, his former Barcelona teammate, offered heartfelt congratulations on Instagram, writing, “Grande Ous !!! Congratulations I’m so happy for you. You deserve it.” Dembélé, currently recovering from an injury sustained during the international break, was granted special permission to attend the gala, missing PSG's rescheduled Ligue 1 fixture but targeting a return for the upcoming match against Auxerre.

The PSG Communities Foundation Gala saw numerous players and their partners grace the red carpet. Lucas Beraldo, the PSG defender, and his wife Rafaela, who married in a lavish ceremony earlier that summer, were prominently featured. Dressed impeccably, Beraldo in a dapper black suit and Rafaela in a stunning red dress with a diamond necklace, the couple, who share a son, posed for photographers. Rafaela, boasting nearly 40,000 Instagram followers, is a constant presence supporting Beraldo from the stands.

Marquinhos, the Brazilian international, attended with his wife Carol Cabrino, who was sporting a red number herself. Carol, a Brazilian influencer with over 631,000 Instagram followers, bravely spoke about losing the couple's unborn child earlier in the year and is now expecting their fourth child. Other notable attendees included Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and wife Nitsa Tavadze, Joao Neves and actress girlfriend Madalena Aragao, and Nuno Mendes with his social media star girlfriend Thalyta Silva. Lucas Hernandez and his fiancée Victoria Triay Klein, who welcomed their first child in July, also posed for cameras. Victoria, a 37-year-old Brazilian model, is a significant social media influencer with a staggering 1.8 million Instagram followers.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony also recognized achievements beyond the men's main prize. Nigerian Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu was shortlisted for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year Trophy, while Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made the final cut for the prestigious Women’s Yacine Trophy for Best Goalkeeper. Their nominations followed the Super Falcons’ historic 10th Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) title. Although initial reports suggested both would be absent, Nnadozie was sighted at the venue, while Coach Madugu missed the event. In the women’s main category, Spain and Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí was in contention to win a third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin.