Dembele unexpectedly 'calls out' Barcelona and Messi on the day he won the Ballon d'Or

During his speech at the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembele touched the crowd by paying a heartfelt tribute to Barcelona, the club where he once played.

Dembele stepped onto the podium of glory after a historic season with Paris Saint-Germain. The 28-year-old forward scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists, playing a crucial role in helping Luis Enrique's team win the Champions League for the first time, as well as securing Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France to complete an unprecedented treble.

In Europe, he was also named the Champions League Player of the Season, standing out with a hat-trick against Stuttgart and key goals against Liverpool and Arsenal, along with two assists in the final triumph over Inter Milan.

On the stage of the Chatelet Theatre, Dembele began his emotional speech: "I don’t have many words to express. This is one of the greatest achievements I have ever reached in my career."

He emphasized the importance of PSG and coach Enrique: "I want to thank the entire team, coach Luis Enrique, and everyone who stood by me through every tough moment. This is not just an individual award, but a victory for all of us."

Notably, during his speech, Dembele fondly recalled his time at Barcelona: "Thanks to all the clubs I have played for: Stade Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, and the club I always dreamed of playing for, Barcelona. I learned so much there, playing alongside players like Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. It was an incredible learning experience."

These words deeply moved Barca fans, because despite a career full of ups and downs at Camp Nou, Dembele still regards the Catalan club as a significant milestone on his journey to the top.

Dembele concluded his speech with pride and surprise: "When I see the list of legends who have won this award, it’s unbelievable that my name is also there. I worked hard to win the Champions League, Ligue 1, and now holding this Ballon d'Or, I am truly happy."

This victory makes Dembele the sixth French player to win the Ballon d'Or, pushing France ahead of Germany and Italy (each with five), and tying Argentina with eight wins. But the difference is: while Argentina’s eight titles belong solely to Lionel Messi, France boasts multiple generations, and now Dembele adds his name to affirm their strength.

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