Mbappe's initial reaction when Dembele won the Ballon d'Or

Kylian Mbappe displayed a remarkable response as Ousmane Dembele was formally recognized at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

In this year's competition, Dembele surpassed many strong contenders to claim the top spot. The Paris Saint-Germain winger excelled by finishing first, with Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) coming in second, followed by Vitinha and Mohamed Salah.

With this victory, Dembele officially joins the list of French football legends who have won the Ballon d'Or, alongside Raymond Kopa (1958), Michel Platini (1983, 1984, 1985), Jean-Pierre Papin (1991), Zinedine Zidane (1998), and Karim Benzema (2022). This marks a memorable milestone in the career of the 1997-born player, who previously faced many challenges due to injuries.

Notably, Kylian Mbappe, who ranked 7th in this year's voting, couldn't hide his emotions witnessing Dembele's triumph. On Instagram, the Real Madrid forward wrote: “C’est les émotions mon frère. Tu mérites x1000” (which translates to: “So many emotions, brother. You deserve it a thousand times over!”).

Mbappe's brief but heartfelt message quickly went viral on social media. It also highlights the close bond between the two stars, who together led the French national team to World Cup glory in 2018 in Russia.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or is a fully deserved reward for Dembele's performances with PSG. In the 2024/25 season, the 28-year-old shone brightly with 33 goals and 13 assists across all competitions. He was a key figure in helping the Paris club achieve a historic treble: Champions League, Ligue 1, and the French Cup.

Beyond his goal-scoring talent, Dembele has shown remarkable growth as a leader, guiding PSG through their toughest moments. His breakthrough also contributed to the club becoming European champions for the first time.

With his first Ballon d'Or, Dembele not only confirms his individual class but also establishes himself as one of the most important players of France's golden generation. Meanwhile, Mbappe, although yet to win this prestigious award, remains one of the world's top stars, promising to continue competing for it in the years ahead.

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