Coronation in Qatar: Offensive star Ousmane Dembélé from Champions League-Winner Paris Saint Germain is the world footballer of the year 2025.
The Frenchman was honored by FIFA at the world governing body’s gala on Tuesday in Qatar’s capital Doha. Dembélé succeeds the Brazilian Vinícius Júnior, who won last year’s election. He beat his compatriot Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid and Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona).
“It was a fantastic year for me – for me personally and with the team”said Dembélé, who said with a view to the 2026 World Cup: “I hope I can come back next year.”
The 28-year-old Dembélé, ex-Borussia Dortmund professional, already had that in September Ballon d’Or won. Competing awards have confused fans for years. The trade magazine honored from 2010 to 2015 “France Football” The best of the year were together with FIFA, but since then both parties have been fighting for supremacy.
Bonmati becomes world footballer for the third time
The currently injured Spaniard Aitana Bonmatí was recognized as a world footballer for the third time in a row. Bonmati became champion and cup winner with FC Barcelona in the 2024/25 season. In the Champions League, Barcelona lost the final against arsenal 0-1, Bonmati was named player of the premier class season.
At the 2025 European Championships in Switzerland, Bonmati scored the decisive winning goal in the semi-final against Germany and was later voted player of the tournament. In the final, Spain lost to England, whose Dutch national coach Sarina Wiegmann was named Coach of the Year for the fifth time.
Matthäus is still the only German player
The coaches and captains of the national teams as well as selected media representatives and fans were allowed to vote. Record national player Lothar Matthäus is still the only German to be voted world footballer in the history of the vote (1991). In the women’s category, however, there have already been several German award winners: Birgit Prinz, Nadine Angerer and Nadine Keßler.
Enrique prevails against Flick
Among the coaches, Luis Enrique from PSG, the former national coach Hansi Flick (FC Barcelona) and the Liverpudlian Master trainer Arne Slot completed the top 3.
Donnarumma best goalkeeper
The choice of goalkeepers was won by the Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is now from Paris Manchester City changed – Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) was left behind. The best goalkeeper is the Englishwoman Hannah Hampton, who beat Ann-Katrin Berger, among others.
Price for German Team doctor
While Germans came away empty-handed in all other categories, FIFA awarded Andreas Harlass-Neuking the award Fair Play Award 2025. The team doctor of the third division team SSV Jahn Regensburg was honored for his work during an emergency in Magdeburg. Before Regensburg’s second division game against 1. FC Magdeburg in April, Harlass-Neuking was made aware by players that a Magdeburg fan had collapsed. The doctor ran to the fan block, resuscitated the man and arranged for him to be transported to a hospital.
“Their sportsmanship, selflessness and charity reflect the best aspects of our beautiful sport”wrote FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and praised Harlass-Neuking for this “Presence of mind and quick action”.