Dembélé Crowned FIFA The Best Men’s Player

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy and team captain Michael Olunga opted to recognize African players when casting their votes for the 2025 FIFA The Best Awards, even as Ousmane Dembélé emerged as the overall winner.

Dembélé was crowned FIFA The Best Men’s Player on Tuesday, adding the prestigious honor to his recent Ballon d’Or triumph. The Paris Saint-Germain forward topped a star-studded shortlist that also included Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid talisman Kylian Mbappé. In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí took home the top prize, with the awards also celebrating outstanding coaches, goalkeepers, and the most spectacular goals of the year.

Voting for the FIFA The Best Awards is shared equally among four groups, each accounting for 25 percent of the final outcome. These groups include men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, media representatives, and fans worldwide.

After joining PSG from Barcelona in 2023, Dembélé enjoyed a sensational season. He registered 51 goal contributions in 54 appearances, scoring 35 times and playing a pivotal role in PSG’s historic treble of the league, domestic cup, and UEFA Champions League. Fresh from lifting the Ballon d’Or, he was widely expected to secure the FIFA honor as well.

How McCarthy and Olunga Voted

Despite Dembélé’s dominance, Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga selected his PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi as his top choice. The Moroccan full-back was ranked ahead of Dembélé, with fellow PSG midfielder Vitinha completing Olunga’s top three.

Hakimi enjoyed an exceptional campaign from right-back, recording 11 goals and 16 assists. His performances earned him the African Footballer of the Year Award last month, making him the first Moroccan to win the title since 1998 and the first defender since 1973 to claim the prestigious accolade.

Meanwhile, Benni McCarthy cast his vote for Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah as the best player of 2025. McCarthy placed Dembélé second, followed by Barcelona winger Raphinha. Salah produced a remarkable season, scoring 34 goals and providing 23 assists, including 29 league goals and 18 assists, as he helped Arne Slot guide Liverpool to the 2024–25 Premier League title.

With his latest success, Dembélé joins an elite group of FIFA The Best winners, a list that features legendary figures such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the award since its launch in 2016.