'DYNAMIC' DEMBELE GRATEFUL TO TEAM

'Hard work pays off' for Frenchman, who claims Best Player gong at FIFA awards

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France and Paris Saint Germain attacker Ousmane Dembele looked back on a "fantastic year" after he won The Best FIFA Men's Player award at a ceremony in Doha on Dec 16, while Barcelona midfield maestro Aitana Bonmati collected the women's prize.

Dembele, 28, won the Ballon d’Or in September as he was rewarded for an exceptional season with PSG which culminated in the Ligue 1 club’s first Champions League title.

“I wanted to thank my teammates. Hard work pays off, it’s been a fantastic year for me, both individually and collectively,” he said after the ceremony, which took place on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and Brazilian side Flamengo in Qatar, which ended after press time.

“I hope to come back here again next year.”

Dembele, who was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018, scored 35 goals in all competitions in the 2024-25 season, in which PSG claimed a French league and Cup double, as well as European glory.