Dembele awarded Ballon d'Or

Three in a row

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Bonmati won the women's prize by edging out her international teammate Mariona Caldentey, with whom she played in the Spain side that was beaten on penalties by England in the Women's Euro 2025 final.

Bonmati, 27, also lost the Women's Champions League final with her club last season, at the hands of Caldentey's Arsenal.

Bonmati was named player of the tournament at the Euros, despite not starting either of Spain's first two matches as she recovered from a bout of viral meningitis.

"I am very proud," said Bonmati, who credited her teammates for their role in her personal triumph.

"Third time in a row here and I still can't believe it," Bonmati added.

"I owe Barcelona everything, this is the club of my life.

"I think I am here for the third consecutive time because of the teams I play in, so all of this is because of them."

Alessia Russo, one of the nominees from the triumphant England European Championship team and Arsenal's Champions League winning side, came third.

Bonmati's "three-peat" follows back-to-back victories for her Barcelona and Spain teammate Alexia Putellas.

Norway's Ada Hegerberg and USA star Megan Rapinoe are the only other players to have won the Women's Ballon d'Or since it was introduced in 2018.

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by a panel of journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries and regions in the FIFA world rankings for the men, and from the top 50 for the women.

Bonmati's 19-year-old teammate at Barcelona and Spain, Vicky Lopez, was named the best young women's player.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, who excelled in the PSG team that swept all aside last season before moving to Manchester City, claimed the Yashin trophy for best goalkeeper.

England's Euros winner Hannah Hampton claimed the best women's goalkeeper award, while her international manager Sarina Wiegman was named the best women's coach.

The men's and women's Gerd Muller trophies for the top scorers respectively went to Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal this summer from Portuguese club Sporting after a prolific season, and Barcelona's Ewa Pajor.

Agencies