PSG winger secures award after historic treble-winning season, joining an elite group of Muslim football legends.
Key Takeaways
* Dembélé scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists in PSG’s treble-winning campaign.
* He is the fourth Muslim player to win the Ballon d’Or after Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane, and George Weah
* The award was presented by Ronaldinho at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris
Our Muslim brother Ousmane Dembélé has won the Ballon d’Or! 🏆
For Dembélé, success isn’t just about silverware. Time and again, he has shown his devotion to Allah, making du‘a before games, staying grounded in gratitude, and never forgetting that true strength comes from Allah. pic.twitter.com/UN7c7m2tba
— Shehu Uthmaan👳🏻♂️⚙️ (@Bala3Usman) September 22, 2025
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the 2025 Ballon d’Or, becoming only the fourth Muslim player in history to receive football’s most prestigious individual honor.
The French international secured the award following a career-defining season where he led PSG to an unprecedented continental treble—winning Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
Dembélé’s remarkable transformation under coach Luis Enrique saw him score 35 goals and provide 16 assists across all competitions, including crucial contributions in PSG’s Champions League knockout stages.
His eight goals in Europe’s premier competition included a hat-trick in the group phase and decisive performances against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
George Weah 🇱🇷, the only African to ever win the Ballon d’Or. pic.twitter.com/U6uy2HH7m6
— Typical African (@Joe__Bassey) September 22, 2025
The 27-year-old winger received the award from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho at a ceremony in Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet, describing the moment as “exceptional” while dedicating the honor to his teammates and family.
Dembélé now joins fellow French national Karim Benzema and Zinedine Zidane, and George Weah, who was the president of Liberia as Muslim footballers who have claimed the Ballon d’Or.
There are four Muslim footballers who have won the Ballon d’Or award:
1. George Weah: He won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 while playing for AC Milan. Interestingly, Weah was a Muslim at the time of his win but later converted to Christianity. He is the former President of Liberia, serving from 2018 to 2024. He was a professional footballer before entering politics, winning the Ballon d’Or in 1995.
George Weah 🇱🇷, the only African to ever win the Ballon d’Or. pic.twitter.com/U6uy2HH7m6
— Typical African (@Joe__Bassey) September 22, 2025
2. Zinedine Zidane: He received the award in 1998 while playing for Juventus and later for Real Madrid. Zidane is known to be a Muslim, although he has been private about his personal beliefs. Raised in a Muslim household. His parents, Smaïl and Malika, came from Algeria and settled in Marseille, in France before he was born.
He didn’t talk much about religion during his career, and he still doesn’t. But in rare interviews, he’s acknowledged his faith and his roots. Zidane had a highly successful playing career at Real Madrid from 2001 to 2006, winning the La Liga title in 2003 and the UEFA Super Cup in 2002. As a manager, he led Real Madrid to several titles, including three consecutive Champions League titles, among others.
🇫🇷✨ 25 years ago today: Zinedine Zidane was crowned winner of the Ballon d’Or. What a magnificent player. pic.twitter.com/cejvzVB1Lm
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 22, 2023
Karim Benzema: He won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 after an outstanding season with Real Madrid, scoring 50 goals and 16 assists in 56 matches. Benzema is a devout Muslim and often expresses gratitude with “Alhamdulillah”.
Karim Benzema currently plays for Al-Ittihad FC in the Saudi Pro League, after leaving Real Madrid, where he spent 14 years and won numerous titles, including five Champions League titles and four La Liga titles. He has spoken about the importance of his faith in his life and has expressed gratitude to Allah on several occasions
Carried his club for an entire season.
Came and collected his Ballon d’Or.
Zero haters because everyone knew it was deserved.Among the most uncontroversial and deserved Ballon d’Or winners of all time! ✨ pic.twitter.com/QlmaqclnPz
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 1, 2025
4. Ousmane Dembele: Most recently, Dembele won the Ballon d’Or in 2025, following his exceptional performance with Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists in 53 matches.
This achievement marks a stunning resurgence for a player once plagued by injuries during his Barcelona tenure, now fulfilling his potential as one of world football’s most complete attackers.
[Rodri won the Ballon D’or]
[Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon D’or]
[Zidane Won the Ballon D’or]
[Ronaldinho won the Ballon D’or]
[R9 won the Ballon D’or][None of them won the champions league the year they won it] pic.twitter.com/hdlJtnASfp
— Omo Barca⚽️🖤 (@Tobs_fc) August 14, 2025
Dembélé’s success also continues France’s strong Ballon d’Or tradition, making him the sixth French winner overall.
Faith and Practices: Dembélé is indeed a devout Muslim who prioritises his faith in his daily life. He actively practices Islam, observing daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and celebrating Eid with his family and community. His faith provides him strength and guidance, especially during challenging moments in his soccer career.
Family Background: Born into a Muslim family, Dembélé’s mother played a significant role in instilling faith and values in him. His family heritage includes Mauritania and Mali, creating a rich cultural environment during his upbringing.
🇫🇷🌕 All the French player who won the Ballon d’Or:
🇫🇷 Ousmane Dembelé (2025)
🇫🇷 Karim Benzema (2022)
🇫🇷 Zinédine Zidane (1998)
🇫🇷 Jean-Pierre Papin (1991)
🇫🇷 Michel Platini (1983, 1984, 1985)
🇫🇷 Raymond Kopa (1958)Who’s the best one? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sQbmuj95Za
— Abdallah Hamzajnr (@Hamza_jnr1) September 23, 2025
Public Expression of Faith: While Dembélé doesn’t frequently discuss his faith in public, he has mentioned its importance in interviews and public appearances. He attributes his success to divine guidance and family support.
Solidarity with Palestine: Dembélé has shown solidarity with the Palestinian cause by posting a photo with the caption “All eyes on Rafah,” expressing support for the oppressed people of Palestine. This gesture aligns with his commitment to promoting positive aspects of Islam and using his platform for social awareness.
Wife and Hijab: Dembélé’s wife, Rima Dboush, is a Moroccan woman who wears the hijab. The couple has faced some backlash on social media, with some people criticizing Dembélé for his wife’s choice to wear the hijab. However, Dembélé has received support from fans and fellow athletes for standing by his wife and her faith.
One of the most practicing Muslim in sports. Congratulations Ousmane Dembele. Allahumma barik❤️. pic.twitter.com/6ZpaPnWjQn
— AbdurrahmanPantamiJr (@real_avdulmouhd) September 23, 2025
As a Muslim media platform, it is important for us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of these players, not only for their brilliance on the pitch but also for the pride they bring to the global Muslim community. Regardless of their individual levels of practice or identity, seeing four Muslims ranked among the top six players in the world is a historic moment that deserves celebration.
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