How Much Ousmane Dembele Earned After Winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or

Ousmane Dembele’s football journey reached a historic peak on Monday night in Paris when he was crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, officially becoming the best footballer in the world. 

The Paris Saint-Germain forward received the golden trophy from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho at the Théâtre du Châtelet, a moment that marked not only a personal milestone but also a proud chapter for French football.

What Did Dembele Actually Receive?

One of the biggest questions fans often ask is: how much money does a Ballon d’Or winner get? Surprisingly, the award itself does not come with direct prize money from the organisers, France Football. Instead, the winner walks away with the trophy, which is valued at around $3,500 (about ₦5.25 million).

The trophy is not just symbolic, it’s also a piece of art. Designed by French jewellery house Mellerio dits Meller, the golden ball takes about six months and 100 hours of craftsmanship to complete. 

It weighs over seven kilograms, is layered in 24-karat gold, and rests on a pyrite base. In other words, while the trophy may not make Dembele richer on its own, it is priceless in prestige.

The real value beyond the trophy

Although the Ballon d’Or doesn’t come with a cash prize, the financial rewards for the winner often come through contracts, endorsements, and sponsorships. 

Many top players have clauses in their club deals that activate once they win or even get nominated for the Ballon d’Or. These clauses can trigger huge payouts, sometimes worth millions, depending on the agreement.

For Dembele, winning this year’s award could open up lucrative endorsement deals. Brands around the world are eager to associate themselves with the player officially recognised as the best in football. 

This means more commercial appearances, advertisements, and bonuses. In the past, sponsors have gifted winners luxury items as well. For instance, Lionel Messi was once presented with a luxury wristwatch by Purnell after winning. 

While nothing has been publicly announced yet for Dembele, it won’t be surprising if similar gifts follow.

The competition he beat

Dembele’s victory did not come easily. He edged out Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who finished second, and PSG teammate Vitinha, who came third. 

The fact that Ronaldinho, the man who himself lit up world football and won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 handed him the award added an extra layer of significance to the night.

By winning, Dembele became the sixth Frenchman to ever take home the Ballon d’Or and the first since Karim Benzema’s win in 2022. His name now sits alongside other legends like Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, and Zinédine Zidane.

How much did Dembele really earn?

If you look only at the trophy, Dembele earned something worth about $3,500. But the real earning power lies in what the award represents. 

From boosted contract bonuses to new sponsorships and commercial opportunities, Dembele’s income is expected to grow significantly after this victory.

In truth, winning the Ballon d’Or is less about the immediate prize money and more about the lifetime value it adds to a player’s career. For Dembele, his 2025 triumph will likely transform his brand, his marketability, and his place in football history.