Ousmane Dembélé reveals what he changed to win the Ballon d’Or

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé revealed that shifting his mindset and maturing with age were the crucial changes that propelled him to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Speaking to the BBC, the 29-year-old French international explained that he is no longer the player he was in his early twenties at Borussia Dortmund, noting that personal maturity has dramatically elevated his performances.

Dembele noted that as he developed, his primary focus shifted toward on-pitch efficiency and helping his team rather than just chasing goals and assists. His transformation has seen him grow into a key leader for Paris Saint-Germain, playing an instrumental role in guiding the French club to two Champions League titles alongside his prestigious individual accolade.