Ousmane Dembele Named Champions League Player of the Season

PSG Star Ousmane Dembele Shines Bright in Europe as Lamine Yamal & Declan Rice Also Make Best XI

As Paris Saint-Germain lifted their first-ever Champions League trophy in emphatic fashion, the accolades continue to pour in — and at the heart of the praise stands Ousmane Dembele. The electric French winger has been named the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, a fitting reward for a campaign brimming with flair, unpredictability, and decisive performances on Europe’s biggest stage.

What Happened?

Athletic Club v FC Barcelona – La Liga EA Sports

Dembele was instrumental in PSG’s triumphant run through the tournament. The former Barcelona man netted six goals in the group stage alone, and added crucial strikes against European heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal during the knockouts. Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet in the final, his performance as a roaming false nine in the 5-0 dismantling of Inter Milan was nothing short of dazzling.

Operating between the lines, Ousmane Dembele’s movement created havoc among defenders, opening spaces for the likes of Desire Doue and Vitinha to exploit. It was the kind of unselfish, high-IQ performance that often flies under the radar — but not this time. UEFA’s technical observers clearly took notice.

The Bigger Picture: PSG Dominate the Best XI

The Player of the Season wasn’t the only prize heading back to the French capital. PSG dominated UEFA’s Champions League Team of the Season with a total of seven players included:

• Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK)
• Achraf Hakimi (RB)
• Marquinhos (CB)
• Nuno Mendes (LB)
• Vitinha (CM)
• Desire Doue (AM)
• Ousmane Dembele (FW)

It’s a fitting testament to Luis Enrique’s side, who not only won but did so in dominant style, setting a record for the biggest margin of victory in a Champions League final.

Did You Know?

Desire Doue, who has been turning heads all season, walked away with the Young Player of the Season title. The 19-year-old midfielder delivered a breathtaking performance in the final, scoring two goals and assisting another — becoming the first teenager in Champions League history to net a brace in the final.

His breakthrough campaign saw him score twice in the quarter-finals as well, and he finished the tournament with five goals and four assists, making him one of the most productive young midfielders in Europe this season.

Lamine Yamal and Declan Rice Also Recognized

Among the notable inclusions in the best XI were Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, just 17 years old and already being hailed as the future of Spanish football. His fearlessness on the ball, coupled with an uncanny ability to take on defenders, made him one of the competition’s breakout stars.

Also making the cut was Declan Rice, Arsenal’s midfield general. While the Gunners didn’t progress past the semi-finals, Rice was consistently their standout performer — breaking up play, distributing with calm authority, and even chipping in with two goals and three assists throughout the campaign.

Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni was the only representative from the Serie A side, earning a nod for his commanding presence at the back despite his team’s final collapse.

What Next for PSG?

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Internazionale Milano – UEFA Champions League Final 2025

After celebrating a long-awaited European triumph, Paris Saint-Germain now shift their focus to the Club World Cup, where they are set to face Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, and Seattle Sounders in the group stage.

There’s little time to rest, as the tournament kicks off in mid-June, and Luis Enrique will be hoping to carry the momentum into a global campaign. With stars like Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, and Doue in top form, they’ll arrive in the United States as one of the favorites to lift yet another piece of silverware.

Final Thoughts

Ousmane Dembele’s journey from injury setbacks and inconsistency to being crowned Champions League Player of the Season is one of redemption and growth. PSG’s dominance in the competition was comprehensive, and their individual accolades reflect that.

But beyond the silverware and the personal honors, what this Champions League campaign showcased — perhaps more than any in recent years — is that a new era of footballing superstars has truly arrived. With talents like Doue and Yamal ready to carry the torch, and seasoned campaigners like Ousmane Dembele leading the charge, the future of European football looks bright.

And if Paris Saint-Germain have anything to say about it, this may only be the beginning.