The outcome of the 2025 FIFA Best Men’s Player award has offered fresh insight into the voting preferences of some of football’s most celebrated stars, highlighting how elite players assessed the game’s standout performers over the past year.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé emerged as the overall winner of the prestigious honour, with the announcement made on Tuesday, December 16. Dembélé edged out Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé to claim the top prize, capping a remarkable season at club and international level.
One of the most closely watched ballots belonged to Argentina captain Lionel Messi, whose vote often attracts global attention. Messi ranked Dembélé as his first choice, placing Mbappé second and Lamine Yamal third, a decision that aligned closely with the final outcome of the award.
Several other national team captains also revealed their selections, each offering a unique perspective on the year’s best performers. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah opted for Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi as his top pick, followed by Dembélé in second place and Mbappé in third.
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane shared Messi’s preference at the top of his list, voting Dembélé as the standout player of the year. Kane placed PSG midfielder Vitinha second and Mohamed Salah third, reflecting his appreciation for midfield influence and attacking consistency.
Croatian legend Luka Modrić took a slightly different approach, naming Vitinha as his number one choice. He ranked Dembélé second and Lamine Yamal third, a nod to both experience and emerging talent in world football.
Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva also prioritised Vitinha, placing his international teammate first. Silva selected Nuno Mendes for second place and Dembélé third, notably leaving out fellow Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo from his top three.
The diversity of votes underlined the depth of elite talent across Europe and showcased how players value different attributes such as creativity, consistency, leadership and tactical intelligence.
Alongside the men’s award, FIFA also announced the winners in other major categories at the 2025 Best Awards ceremony. Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí was named The Best FIFA Women’s Player, while PSG manager Luis Enrique claimed The Best FIFA Men’s Coach award. England manager Sarina Wiegman was honoured as The Best FIFA Women’s Coach.
In the goalkeeping categories, Gianluigi Donnarumma won The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award, while Hannah Hampton claimed the women’s equivalent. The Puskás Award for the best men’s goal went to Santiago Montiel for his stunning strike against Independiente Rivadavia, while Lizbeth Ovalle received the FIFA Marta Award for the best women’s goal, scored against Guadalajara.
The 2025 FIFA Best Awards not only celebrated individual excellence but also highlighted the varied opinions of football’s biggest names, reinforcing the global appeal and competitive spirit of the sport.
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