Dembele: From 'the most expensive flop in Catalonia' to the pinnacle of European football

The moment former star Ronaldinho announced "Dembele" and the 28-year-old French forward stepped onto the stage at the Chatelet Theatre to receive the 2025 Ballon d'Or entered football history.

Dembele surpassed strong contenders such as Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Vitinha (PSG), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), and Raphinha (Barcelona) in the Top 5 players with the highest votes.

At 28 years old, Dembele has earned football’s most prestigious individual award, becoming the sixth French player to win it, following Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.

Dembele was once regarded as a “raw gem” of French football when he left Rennes for Dortmund, then became Barcelona’s record signing in 2017 for 105 million euros. With such a huge transfer fee, expectations were high. But instead of reaching the summit, he was overshadowed by recurring injuries and doubts about his ability. Throughout six years in Spain, the highly anticipated striker was unlucky, frequently visiting the Nou Camp medical room.

Injuries ranging from hamstrings and muscles to ligaments prevented Dembele from contributing much to Barca. Many did not hesitate to judge and predict a “flash in the pan” career for the young French talent.

In 2023, Dembele decided to leave the Catalan club and join Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. Many doubted that this move by the French forward was too risky.

The Paris destination quietly welcomed the French striker back to his homeland, unexpectedly becoming the most successful signing in the post-Messi-Neymar era.

Joining PSG was a big step that allowed Dembele to fully unleash his talents and reclaim his image as a superstar. Here, he gradually regained confidence, form, and quietly shone. Under coach Luis Enrique, Dembele became an extremely dangerous threat with improved technique, speed, and tactical awareness. He was not only skillful and fast but also a true warrior, always ready to give his all and make a difference on the pitch.

Dembele contributed significantly to goals and assists across all competitions for PSG. On their maiden Champions League winning journey, he was a key figure. In the Champions League final, Dembele not only led PSG’s play but also provided two assists, helping PSG defeat Inter Milan 5-0.

Consistent performances from the group stage to the final, including 8 goals and 6 assists in 15 matches, earned Dembele the title of "Best Player of the 2024-2025 Champions League."

Dembele was also one of the most consistent players in Ligue 1 and a tactical weapon that coach Enrique relied on to lead PSG to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final.

In the 2024-2025 season, Dembele was PSG’s brightest star. He was involved in 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, playing a crucial role in helping the Parisian club achieve the "quadruple."

Dembele being named the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner proves that football honors not only professional achievements but also those who face adversity and conquer themselves. He demonstrated that one can transform from a troubled figure into the world’s best player.

Dembele’s success teaches lessons in patience and never giving up. The 2025 Ballon d'Or is therefore more than an individual award; it confirms that football remains a game of faith, resilience, and fairy-tale stories.