From Paris to the World: Dembélé Crowned FIFA Best 2025

The 2025 FIFA Best Awards Ceremony Took Place in Doha Highlighting Key Achievements in World Football

On 17th December 2025, the highly anticipated FIFA Best Awards ceremony concluded in Doha, Qatar. The event brought together top international football figures in a gathering that also underscored Qatar’s continued prominence as a host for major sporting occasions since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Among the highlights was the crowning of French forward Ousmane Dembélé as the 2025 FIFA Best Men’s Player. Dembélé, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is noted for being the first player born in the 1990s to receive this title, marking a generational shift in world football accolades.

Given the event’s global significance, football fans and media outlets from multiple regions including Malaysia, from urban centres such as Seri Kembangan and Selangor to areas like Batu Caves, closely followed the proceedings. The ceremony came without incident, adhering to strict safety standards overseen by local authorities, ensuring smooth traffic flow and effective crowd control around the venue.

The Award Voting and Presentation Followed a Rigorous Process Evaluating Performance and Conduct

The selection period for this year’s FIFA Best Men’s Player award spanned from 11th August 2024 to 2nd August 2025. This evaluation considered both on-field sporting performance and overall conduct inside and outside the pitch. Voting was conducted jointly by four groups: media representatives, football fans worldwide, national team head coaches, and national team captains, each carrying an equal share of influence in the final decision.

Ousmane Dembélé, who had earlier secured the 2025 Ballon d’Or, led the voting tally with 50 points. His closest contenders were Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal with 39 points and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé with 35 points. Dembélé’s accomplishments over the 2024–25 season included 53 appearances, during which he scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists for Paris Saint-Germain. Notably, he played a key role in PSG capturing their first-ever UEFA Champions League title while also helping the club clinch Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions titles. Furthermore, PSG advanced to the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup under his leadership. These achievements contributed significantly to his recognition as the world’s best footballer.

Official Bodies Confirm the Smooth Operation and Security Measures of the Event

According to Qatar’s Ministry of Interior and associated agencies, the 2025 FIFA Best Awards ceremony proceeded without any accident or significant disruption. Police and the fire department had implemented comprehensive safety protocols, focusing on ensuring crowd management and emergency responsiveness throughout Doha, particularly in the centre where the event was held. Traffic control measures around key locations were enforced to prevent congestion and maintain access routes for emergency vehicles.

Authorities also confirmed that detailed risk assessments were undertaken in the weeks leading to the event, with coordination among various departments to monitor public safety. Preliminary findings stated no incidents were reported on or in the vicinity of the award venue, highlighting a successful example of event management in a major urban centre.

Public Reaction and Industry Observations Point to Growing Influence of Younger Football Talents

Following the announcement, discussion on social media platforms reflected a recognition of the post-90s generation’s growing impact on football globally. While there was widespread acknowledgement of Dembélé’s sporting prowess and consistency, commentators highlighted the emergence of younger talents such as Lamine Yamal and renewed focus on football programmes supporting youth development.

Industry analysts noted this trend aligns with a broader shift in international football where technical ability and athletic performance are being combined with professionalism and conduct to determine recognition. Other award winners such as Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí, who secured her third consecutive Best Women’s Player award and currently holds the Ballon d’Or, were also cited as examples of sustained excellence in female football. Similarly, goalkeeper awards presented to Manchester United’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton illustrate continued competitive standards in their respective leagues.

Coaching recognitions granted to Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique and England’s Sarina Wiegman further reflect strategic leadership valued in modern football contexts.

The Event’s Impact Highlights the Importance of Coordination in High-Profile International Sports

In the short term, the awards ceremony imposed increased demands on Doha’s urban traffic and public safety resources, prompting enhanced coordination between engineering and traffic authorities. Measures such as rerouting and staggered transport schedules helped alleviate potential bottlenecks. Meanwhile, police presence and fire department readiness ensured that safety protocols were strictly adhered to.

Looking ahead, the positive experience gained from organising an international event of this scale sets a precedent in engineering infrastructure and safety standards, important for Doha and regional hubs that may host future global competitions. Though Malaysia was not directly involved, observers from Malaysian sports and municipal sectors continue to monitor such events for best practices in managing urban spaces during large-scale international gatherings.

Overall, the 2025 FIFA Best Awards in Doha underscore the effectiveness of combining thorough planning, advanced engineering measures, and robust safety enforcement to support world-class sporting events without adverse incidents.

Location: Doha, Qatar

Date: 2025-12-17