Lamine Yamal's immediate reaction to Dembele winning the Ballon d'Or went viral

The 2025 Ballon d'Or event in Paris ended with Ousmane Dembele crowned champion, yet it was Lamine Yamal’s swift reaction that captured widespread attention online.

After months of speculation and anticipation, the name honored in the category Men’s Ballon d'Or 2025 was officially revealed at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris. PSG winger Ousmane Dembele outshone numerous competitors to claim the most prestigious award in world football for the first time in his career. This accolade was a fitting reward for his explosive season, as he helped PSG achieve a historic treble, including the club’s maiden Champions League title.

This year’s nominee list featured many prominent players, including standouts like Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha. Before the ceremony concluded, the organizers announced the rankings from 30th to 11th place, featuring stars such as Virgil van Dijk, Harry Kane, Desire Doue, and Pedri. This buildup heightened the suspense leading to the night’s most crucial moment.

Although Dembele was the center of glory, the moment that silenced the room was Lamine Yamal’s reaction upon learning he finished second. The 18-year-old prodigy smiled, applauded, and embraced Dembele to congratulate him afterward. This gracious gesture quickly spread across social media, earning widespread praise from experts and fans alike. Many believe Yamal lost the race this year but won the hearts of the audience through his maturity beyond his years.

Besides the men’s Ballon d'Or, women’s football also witnessed absolute dominance. Barcelona’s talented midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named again, securing her third consecutive women’s Ballon d'Or. This achievement cements her status as a major icon in contemporary women’s football worldwide.

In the subsidiary awards, The Kopa Trophy was awarded to Lamine Yamal — Barcelona’s young prodigy. Although he didn’t win the Ballon d'Or, Yamal confirmed his position as the world’s best young player by surpassing strong contenders like Estevao, Desire Doue, Kenan Yildiz, and Joao Neves.

Thus, the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala not only celebrated the finest individuals but also left a lasting impression with a beautiful moment of sportsmanship and mutual respect among the world’s greatest stars.

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