Paris felt electric on September 22nd as the Théâtre du Châtelet filled with football fans, journalists and a few surprised celebrities. The reason? The Ballon d'Or ceremony, now a global TV event, was finally in the City of Light. Brazilian icon Ronaldinho took the stage, swapping places with former champion Hristo Stoichkov, and instantly turned the formal affair into a party of tricks and smiles.
Ronaldinho’s presence did more than add star power. The man who once made a crowd forget about rival clubs reminded everyone why the award matters beyond statistics. He talked about joy, creativity and the magic that keeps kids chasing a ball in alleys worldwide. The audience, hanging on his every word, could sense that the night would be memorable.
When the envelope was opened, all eyes turned to the PSG winger who had just lifted a Champions League trophy that night. Ousmane Dembélé stepped up, visibly shaking, and delivered an acceptance speech that felt like a quick text message: short, emotional, and full of gratitude. He thanked the PSG president, his teammates, his coach – whom he called “like a father” – and even nods to his former clubs Dortmund, Rennes and Barcelona. The crowd erupted, and the moment cemented Dembélé’s place in football history.
Winning the Ballon d’Or isn’t just about scoring goals; it’s about delivering when the stakes are highest. Dembélé’s 32‑goal haul was impressive, but what truly tipped the scales was his role in PSG’s first ever Champions League victory. He scored in every knockout round, gave assists that opened up the defence, and seemed unstoppable in the final, where his late strike sealed a 3‑2 win.
The competition was fierce. Teenage Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, only 17, had already broken several records and led his club to a domestic double. Fans of the youngster argued that his rise was historic enough to win. Other heavy‑weights – Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, Nuno Mendes – all had stellar seasons. Yet the voting panel leaned toward the player who captured the biggest prize of the year.
Aside from the men’s award, the ceremony shone a light on women’s football. Polish forward Ewa Pajor received a special honor for her influence on the game. Her speech reminded everyone that football success is a team effort, a sentiment that resonated with Dembélé’s own words.
Among the shortlisted names were also goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defender Achraf Hakimi and versatile midfielder Vitinha. The event’s highlight reel showed dazzling goals, acrobatic saves and moments that defined the season. It reminded fans that the award celebrates not just an individual, but the collective story of a year in football.
Returning to Ronaldinho, his brief comments after the ceremony summed up the night: "Football is about joy, surprise and sharing moments that inspire the next generation." That sentiment echoed through the hall, ending a night that felt both historic and hopeful for the sport’s future.
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