Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Ousmane Dembele following the French star’s crowning moment as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner. Dembele, aged 28, secured the prestigious award ahead of Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Portugal midfielder Vitinha, marking a historic milestone in his career.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who currently plays for Inter Miami in the United States, described himself as “very happy” for Dembele. The Argentine maestro, who once shared the Barcelona dressing room with the Frenchman, emphasized that the award was well deserved and praised Dembele’s growth, resilience, and contribution to world football.
Dembele crowned in Paris
The glittering Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on Monday night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where Dembele was officially announced as the 2025 winner. His exceptional performances throughout the season, both for club and country, helped him edge out tough competition. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who at just 18 has taken the football world by storm, finished second, while Vitinha of Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain claimed the third spot.
A dream fulfilled
Shortly after lifting the award, Dembele took to Instagram to share his emotions with fans across the globe. He wrote: “Lots of joy, pride and emotion. A dream come true. Thank you to all those who have always supported me throughout this journey. #ballondor.” The message reflected both relief and fulfillment, as Dembele has long been seen as one of football’s brightest talents, and now his potential has finally been fully recognized on the biggest stage.
Messi’s message of respect
Responding warmly to Dembele’s celebratory post, Messi left a heartfelt comment that quickly went viral: “Great Ous!!! Congratulations, I’m very happy for you. You deserve it.” Fans noted the significance of Messi’s words, seeing it as a passing of the torch from the legendary Argentine to a player who once looked up to him during their time together at Barcelona.
The exchange between Messi and Dembele has since drawn admiration online, with many football lovers celebrating the bond between the two stars and recognizing the moment as symbolic of football’s evolving era — from Messi’s dominance to a new generation now stepping into the spotlight.