FIFA The Best 2025 Ceremony in Doha: Dembélé’s Triumph, Puskás Award for Montiel and Recognition of the World’s Best in Football

On December 16, 2025, the official FIFA The Best 2025 awards ceremony took place in Doha, Qatar, honoring the best players, coaches, and symbolic teams of the year in men’s and women’s football. The main protagonists of the evening were Ousmane Dembélé, Santiago Montiel, and Aitana Bonmatí, while the dominant force was UEFA Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain.

Ousmane Dembélé — FIFA World Player of the Year

Paris Saint-Germain and France national team star Ousmane Dembélé was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2025. For the 28-year-old attacker, the award crowned a phenomenal season in which he played a decisive role in the historic triumph of the Parisian club.

Dembélé led PSG to the first UEFA Champions League title in the club’s history, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in the European campaign. In addition, the Frenchman was named MVP of both the Champions League and Ligue 1 for the 2024/25 season.

Together with PSG, Dembélé won a domestic treble — Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the French Super Cup — and also helped the team reach the final of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup.

Puskás Award — The Magic of Santiago Montiel

The FIFA Puskás Award 2025 was presented to Argentine winger Santiago Montiel, who plays for Independiente.

The award was earned thanks to an incredible bicycle kick goal scored in a match of the Argentine Professional League against Independiente Rivadavia in May 2025. Montiel struck the ball with a powerful left-footed shot from long range, “defying the laws of physics,” as FIFA described it.

The 25-year-old became the second consecutive Argentine to win the award, following Alejandro Garnacho. Notably, Santiago is the cousin of 2022 World Cup champion Gonzalo Montiel.

Aitana Bonmatí — Best Women’s Player for the Third Consecutive Year

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí once again proved her greatness, winning The Best FIFA Women’s Player award for the third year in a row.

Despite defeats in the finals of the Women’s Champions League and the European Championship, Bonmatí was named MVP of both tournaments. She also played a key role in Barcelona’s domestic treble.

In early December, the 27-year-old underwent surgery after suffering a fibula fracture, and the football world wished her a speedy recovery.

Luis Enrique — Coach of the Year

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2025. The Spanish specialist guided PSG to a historic Champions League victory, completing the final with a resounding 5–0 win over Inter.

Under his leadership, the Parisians also won Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the Super Cup, and at the Club World Cup defeated Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, losing only in the final.

Gianluigi Donnarumma — Best Goalkeeper in the World

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper 2025, receiving the award for the first time in his career.

Last season he was one of PSG’s key players, including a clean sheet in the Champions League final. In the summer of 2025, Donnarumma moved to Manchester City, where he continues his career at the highest level.

Men’s Team of the Year

The Best FIFA Men’s 11 2025 included six PSG players, along with young talents and established stars of world football.

Line-up:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes
Midfielders: Cole Palmer, Vitinha, Pedri, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal

Special attention was drawn to 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, as well as Cole Palmer, winner of the Golden Ball at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Women’s Football: England and Spain Dominate

Best Coach — Sarina Wiegman
England national team head coach Sarina Wiegman was named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for the fifth time in her career. She led England to victory at Euro 2025, defeating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout final.

Best Goalkeeper — Hannah Hampton
Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton won The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award for the first time in her career, becoming only the second Englishwoman to receive the honor.

Women’s Team of the Year

The Best FIFA Women’s 11 2025:

Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton
Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, Clàudia Pina
Forwards: Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey

Ceremony Summary

FIFA The Best 2025 became a celebration of footballing excellence, individual brilliance, and collective achievements. The year was marked by the dominance of Paris Saint-Germain, the rise of young stars, and the strengthening of women’s football on the global stage.

The ceremony in Doha once again confirmed that football continues to evolve, giving fans new names, new emotions, and new legends.