Mbappé and Messi congratulate Dembélé on Ballon d’Or triumph
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi have both extended warm congratulations to their former teammate Ousmane Dembélé after he claimed the 2025 Ballon d’Or for his outstanding performances this past season.
Dembélé edged out Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal to land the prestigious accolade, capping off a stellar campaign for Paris Saint-Germain. Across 53 matches, he scored 35 goals and recorded 14 assists, playing a pivotal role in PSG’s pursuit of the UEFA Champions League, as well as domestic titles in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.
Mbappé, who departed PSG in 2024 to join Real Madrid after a seven-year spell at the French club, was among the first to laud his compatriot. On Instagram, he wrote:
“Ousmane Dembélé. It’s so exciting, my brother! You deserve it 1000 times.”
Though Mbappé himself has yet to ever win a Ballon d’Or, he placed seventh in this year’s standings.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, chimed in with his own tribute, posting in Spanish:
“Great Ous!!! Congratulations. I’m so happy for you. You deserve it.”
During his acceptance speech, Dembélé paid homage to his Barcelona years, reflecting on how teaming up with icons such as Messi and Andrés Iniesta shaped his growth:
“I learned so much there … playing alongside players like Messi and Iniesta. It was a great learning experience. I am so happy, when I see the list of legends who have won this award.”
The Nation Newspaper
The congratulatory messages from Mbappé and Messi underscore how Dembélé’s achievement is being celebrated across the footballing world, bridging his past affiliations with both Paris and Barcelona.