Dembele and Bonmati scoop FIFA Best awards

Ousmane Dembele, the France international and Paris Saint-Germain forward, claimed the men's FIFA Best award during a ceremony held in Qatar on Tuesday. At the same event, Barcelona's midfield star Aitana Bonmati secured the women's equivalent.

Aged 28, Dembele had previously lifted the Ballon d'Or in September, recognising his outstanding performances with PSG that season, which culminated in the Ligue 1 side's inaugural Champions League success.

"I want to thank my teammates. Hard work really does pay off. It has been an incredible year for me, both on a personal level and with the team," Dembele remarked following the ceremony. This event occurred just before the Intercontinental Cup final pitting PSG against Flamengo, also taking place in Qatar.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona player, who featured in France's victorious 2018 World Cup squad, netted 35 goals across all competitions. This helped PSG achieve a domestic league and cup double alongside their European triumph.

PSG coach Luis Enrique, from Spain, was honoured as the top men's team manager, edging out Barcelona's Hansi Flick and Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title.

Bonmati, who is 27, earned the women's player of the year accolade for the third successive time, having also claimed her third Ballon d'Or in a row during the autumn.

"I feel truly grateful for this honour," she stated, going on to express thanks to her teammates, coaches, and the fans who supported her with their votes.

These individual honours cap a mixed year for the Spanish star, who led her club to the Spanish league title but fell short in both the Champions League and European Championship finals last season.

Despite missing the starting lineup for Spain's opening two Euro matches due to recovery from viral meningitis, Bonmati was named player of the tournament.

She is presently sidelined with a fractured leg, sustained in training right before Spain's triumphant Nations League final second leg against Germany.

England women's boss Sarina Wiegman received the best women's coach award after steering her team to a third straight Euros victory over the summer.

In the goalkeeper section, Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma, who moved to Manchester City post his Champions League win with PSG, took the men's prize. Chelsea's Hannah Hampton, a Euro 2025 champion, claimed the women's honour.

Santiago Montiel earned the prestigious Puskas award for the year's finest goal with his stunning overhead kick from beyond the penalty area, scored for Independiente versus Independiente Rivadavia in Argentina's top division.

Lizbeth Ovalle's scorpion kick for Tigres against Guadalajara in Mexico's league secured the Marta award.

Selections were made via votes from fans, media, national team captains, and coaches, based on performances from 11 August 2024 to 2 August 2025.