Ousmane Dembélé: PSG’s Leading Light in a Historic Season

Could he be the one? Ousmane Dembélé, one of Paris Saint-Germain’s most decisive players in 2024/25, has every right to dream of the Ballon d’Or after a season marked by silverware, statistics, and standout performances. With 33 goals and 15 assists across all competitions, the 28-year-old forward not only helped PSG clinch an unprecedented quadruple, but also earned UEFA’s Player of the Season award for his outstanding campaign in Europe.

2025’s Most Decisive Player

Having faced early-season criticism over his finishing, Dembélé responded the best way possible: with relentless work on the training ground and stunning output on the pitch. From January through March, he was unplayable, leading all players in Europe’s top five leagues in goal involvements since the turn of the year.

In 2025 alone, he’s contributed to 33 goals (25 goals, 8 assists) – more than any other player in Europe. He sits ahead of Barcelona’s Raphinha (31: 17 goals, 14 assists) and his PSG teammate-turned-Real Madrid rival Kylian Mbappé (30: 29 goals, 1 assist).

Few could have predicted that Dembélé would step out of Mbappé’s shadow so spectacularly following the latter’s departure for Madrid. But the Vernon-born winger delivered moments of pure class throughout the campaign, not least his stunning solo goal in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal, where he was involved in both the build-up and the finish.

In Europe, his numbers shine: 8 goals and 5 assists in the 2024/25 Champions League – a total only Raphinha has come close to matching in 2025 (13 total contributions: 7 goals, 6 assists).

Ligue 1's Top Scorer

While Dembélé's late-season form dipped slightly due to rotation and minor injuries, he still made his mark in Ligue 1 McDonald’s. He bagged 13 goals and 2 assists in the calendar year 2025 and ended the campaign with 21 goals in 29 league appearances – enough to secure his first-ever Golden Boot in France.

He also contributed in other competitions: 3 goals and 1 assist in the Coupe de France, and 1 goal in the Trophée des Champions.

More Than Just Numbers

Beyond his stats, Dembélé’s influence on Luis Enrique’s side went far deeper. Utilised as a false nine, the former Barcelona man seamlessly blended the roles of creator and finisher, becoming a vital cog in PSG’s high-tempo, pressing system.

Luis Enrique, typically cautious when praising individuals, didn’t hold back after PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter in the Champions League final in Munich, where Dembélé delivered two assists and played a key role in a third goal.

“I’d give the Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembélé, simply because of how he defends,” said the Spanish coach. “That’s what humility looks like. I genuinely think he deserves it – not just for the goals but for his work without the ball.”

That tireless work rate was on full display in the final, where he repeatedly closed down goalkeeper Yann Sommer, disrupting Inter’s attempts to build from the back. His relentless pressing went viral on social media – the perfect symbol of a player who has embraced his leadership role.

“At the start of the season, the coach told me I had to set an example – show the younger players how to attack and defend,” Dembélé told Canal+ on Saturday.

A Ballon d’Or Favourite

With a historic quadruple under his belt – Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions and Champions League – and having just been named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, Dembélé now finds himself among the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or, to be awarded on 22 September.

UEFA’s technical observers lauded his “leadership role at PSG,” highlighting his ability to cause problems for defences “through intelligent movement” and his “work ethic in pressing from the front.”

Of course, Dembélé will still face competition for football’s top individual prize. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the ever-consistent Raphinha, and Kylian Mbappé could all mount strong cases of their own.

The coming weeks could be decisive: Dembélé is expected to play a central role in PSG’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign (June 14–July 13 in the USA), and France’s UEFA Nations League Final Four, with a semi-final showdown against Spain and Lamine Yamal scheduled for Thursday.

But whatever happens this summer, Ousmane Dembélé’s 2024/25 season will go down as one of the greatest individual campaigns in PSG history – and perhaps, with the Ballon d’Or in sight, in French football history too.

READ MORE: 

>>Nations League Preview: France vs. Spain