Doha, December 16 (QNA) - French player Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was named the best men's player, winning the FIFA The Best award for 2025 during the official ceremony hosted by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Tuesday in Doha.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Dembele with the award on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup final match between PSG and Brazil's Flamengo, set to take place at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Dembele surpassed his competitors on the final shortlist: his compatriot Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) and Spain's Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona).

Ousmane Dembele successfully clinched both the FIFA The Best award and the Ballon d'Or, presented by France Football magazine, for 2025. This dual recognition followed an exceptional season in which he led PSG to titles in the UEFA Champions League, the French League, the French Super Cup, and the French Cup, in addition to reaching the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Upon receiving the award for the first time in his career, Dembele thanked his family and teammates at Paris Saint-Germain for their support. He also extended gratitude to the PSG president, Nasser Al Khelaifi, for his support, as well as the technical, medical, and administrative staff who helped him.

On the women's side, Spain's Aitana Bonmati, who plays for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, won the Best Women's Player award. This marks the third consecutive time Bonmati has claimed the honor, a historic achievement unmatched by any previous female player.

Spain's Luis Enrique, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain, won the Best Men's Coach award, prevailing over Germany's Hansi Flick (FC Barcelona coach) and the Netherlands' Arne Slot (Liverpool coach).

For the women's category, the Netherlands' Sarina Wiegman, coach of the England national team, was named the Best Women's Coach for 2025.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain and currently playing for Manchester City, won the Best Men's Goalkeeper award. England's Hannah Hampton of Chelsea won the Best Women's Goalkeeper award following her stellar performance with the national team in the European Championship and for helping Chelsea secure the domestic treble.

Argentina's Santiago Montiel (Club Atletico Independiente) received the Puskas Award for the most beautiful goal of 2025, while Mexico's Lizbeth Ovalle won the equivalent women's award, named the "Marta Puskas Award."

The fans of Iraq's Zakho SC won the FIFA Fan Award for 2025 after capturing global attention with a humanitarian initiative on May 13 before their league match against Al Hudood SC. Fans threw thousands of stuffed toys onto the pitch, which were subsequently donated to sick children.

During the ceremony, the FIFA FIFPRO Men's World XI for 2025, comprising the 11 best players, was unveiled.

European champions Paris Saint-Germain dominated the lineup with six players named to the squad, including former PSG player Gianluigi Donnarumma (now at Manchester City) in goal.

The defensive line featured three PSG players: Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, Ecuador's William Pacho, and Portugal's Nuno Mendes, alongside the Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool).

The midfield consisted of England's Cole Palmer (Chelsea), his compatriot Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Portugal's Vitinha (PSG), and Spain's Pedri (FC Barcelona).

The forward line included Ousmane Dembele (PSG) and Spain's Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona). (QNA)