Who Olunga and McCarthy voted for at The Best FIFA Football Awards
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 17.12.25. | 12:00
Despite his success, not all voters placed Dembele at the top of their lists
Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele was named the men’s Player of the Year at the 2025 The Best FIFA Awards on Tuesday, 16 December.
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The award, which recognises the top performers in men’s and women’s football, also acknowledges the best coaches, goalkeepers, and most spectacular goals of the season. Barcelona women’s star Aitana Bonmatà claimed the women’s Player of the Year award.
The Best FIFA Football Awards voting process is split into four equal parts, each contributing 25 per cent to the final result. The vote is decided by men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, journalists, and fans.
Dembele, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, had an outstanding 2024-25 season, contributing 51 goals and assists in 53 appearances for Luis Enrique’s side and helping the French giants win four trophies, including their first UEFA Champions League title.
He finished ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe to claim the prestigious individual award.
Despite his success, not all voters placed Dembele at the top of their lists. Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga selected PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi as his number one, followed by Dembele in second and Vitinha in third.
Hakimi had an exceptional season from right-back, contributing 11 goals and 16 assists, and was recently named African Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Moroccan and first defender to win the award since 1973.
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy had a different perspective, placing Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah as his top pick.
Dembele was McCarthy’s second choice, followed by Barcelona winger Raphinha in third. Salah enjoyed a prolific season, scoring 34 goals and providing 23 assists, including 29 league goals and 18 assists in the Premier League, leading Liverpool to the 2024-25 league title under Arne Slot.
Dembele, who joined PSG from Barcelona in 2023, had struggled early in the season but flourished after being redeployed as a centre forward. His performances, including eight Champions League goals against top opposition such as Liverpool and Arsenal, cemented his position among the world’s elite.
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In addition to Dembele, six players who featured for PSG in 2024-25 were named in the Team of the Year, alongside Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer as the only Premier League representatives.
The full lineup included Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Pedri, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Virgil van Dijk, Lamine Yamal, and Dembele.
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