The International Football Federation named the duo as the world's best player for the 2024–2025 season. The jury consists of journalists, federation captains, national team captains and supporters.
Dembélé was highly involved in Paris Saint-Germain winning the Champions League for the first time this spring.
Barcelona's Bonmatí was named the best women's player by FIFA for the third consecutive season. Swedish national team defender Nathalie Björn was one of 17 nominees.
Another nomination with a Swedish touch was Renée Slegers, who led Arsenal to the Champions League title this spring. The Dutchwoman, who has been in the Swedish women's league both as a player and coach, was however narrowly beaten to the award for best women's coach by a compatriot: England national team captain Sarina Wiegman, who won European Championship gold this summer.
The Ballon d'Or and FIFA agreed on joint awards between 2010 and 2015. The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious award and has been awarded since 1956 for men and since 2018 for women.
