The football world converged in Doha on Tuesday for the FIFA Best Awards, where Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and France forward Ousmane Dembélé was named the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year. In the women’s category, Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí extended her extraordinary reign, winning the award for the third consecutive year.
The awards ceremony cemented the global dominance of both players and their respective clubs after an incredible season.
Men’s Awards: Dembélé and PSG’s Treble
Ousmane Dembélé, 28, capped off a remarkable year by winning the prestigious award, adding to his Ballon d’Or victory in September.
- Instrumental in Success: Dembélé was crucial in leading PSG to their first-ever Champions League triumph, where they decisively defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
- Goal-Scoring Feat: The French star scored a phenomenal 35 goals across all competitions last season, including 21 in Ligue 1 to finish as the league’s top scorer.
- Club Dominance: He was a central figure as the PSG squad swept all domestic honors and reached the final of the Club World Cup.
The success extended to the coaching staff, with Luis Enrique winning the Best Men’s Coach award for guiding PSG to their historic first Champions League title.
The Best Men’s Goalkeeper award went to Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma (now playing for Manchester City), whose crucial saves played a major role in PSG’s domestic treble win.
Women’s Awards: Bonmatí’s Unstoppable Hat-Trick
Aitana Bonmatí, 27, secured her status as one of football’s greatest, winning the FIFA women’s award for the third year in a row.
- Club and Individual Honors: Bonmatí, who was named the Champions League Player of the Season, also won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third straight time this year. She helped Barcelona secure the domestic treble and reach the Champions League final.
- International Recognition: For Spain, she reached the Euro 2025 final, losing to England on penalties, and was recognized as the Player of the Tournament for her exceptional performances.
Sarina Wiegman was honored as the Best Women’s Coach for a record-extending fifth time after leading the England Lionesses to successfully retain their European Championship title.
The Best Women’s Goalkeeper award was claimed by England and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, who was instrumental in the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 victory with her penalty shootout heroics and contributed to Chelsea’s domestic treble.
Goal of the Year Honors
The ceremony also celebrated the most spectacular goals of the season:
- FIFA Marta Award (Best Women’s Goal): Mexico’s Lizbeth Ovalle won for her incredible scorpion kick goal scored for Tigres against Guadalajara in March.
- Puskas Award (Best Men’s Goal): Santiago Montiel was recognized for his dazzling overhead strike for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia in an Argentine Primera match in May.