The annual France Football gala unfolded on Monday, 22 September 2025, inside the historic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The show began at 21:00 Central European Time and was broadcast live across a range of European networks and streaming platforms. The venue, known for its grand architecture and acoustics, added a classic touch to football’s most coveted individual awards night.
The ceremony celebrated the best performances from the 2024‑25 season, spanning domestic leagues, continental tournaments and international fixtures. Fans in the hall and millions watching from home were treated to a blend of glittering red‑carpet moments, video montages of spectacular goals, and heartfelt speeches from former winners.
Paris Saint‑Germain’s French winger turned striker, Ousmane Dembélé, walked away with the coveted men’s prize. At 28, Dembélé enjoyed a career‑defining campaign under manager Luis Enrique, who shifted him from the right flank to a central attacking role. In Ligue 1 he featured in 29 matches, scoring 21 goals and delivering eight assists – a tally that saw him share the league’s top‑scorer accolade.
His impact was even more pronounced in Europe’s elite competition. Dembélé netted eight goals and supplied six assists in the Champions League, including a brace against Manchester City and the decisive strike that sealed PSG’s semifinal win over Arsenal. He also set up the winning goal in the final against Inter Milan, helping PSG lift their first European crown in a decade.
These numbers, combined with PSG’s domestic double and continental triumph, made Dembélé the clear favorite in the voting panel, which consists of journalists, national team coaches and former players.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal finished second, signalling a generational shift in world football. Other PSG teammates – defender Achraf Hakimi and midfield dynamo Vitinha – were mentioned as strong contenders throughout the season, but Dembélé’s consistency in front of goal tipped the scales in his favor.
The night also highlighted several ancillary categories. The Play of the Year award, to be announced on 26 September, featured five spectacular moments selected by a panel of experts:
Coaching honours were also on display, with five managers in the running:
Each nominee was praised for tactical innovation, squad rotation and the ability to extract peak performances from their players across multiple competitions.
Historically, the 2025 ceremony follows Rodri’s 2024 victory and continues the tradition of honoring individual brilliance. Dembélé, who grew up dreaming of the “Holy Grail” of football, described the moment as the culmination of a lifelong ambition.
For viewers who missed the live broadcast, replays will be available on the official France Football website and on the streaming services of the partnered broadcasters. The event’s highlights, including the winner’s speech and the Play of the Year nominees, are expected to be uploaded within 24 hours of the ceremony.
