Ousmane Dembele became the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or, but perhaps the first overall to burst into tears on stage.
The PSG forward deservedly took home football’s greatest individual prize after his treble winning season and finished by breaking down in tears when thanking his family and his mother who he called his ‘best friend’.
“What I just experienced is exceptional. I have no words,” he said on stage in Paris.
“It’s been an incredible year with PSG, a lot has happened during my career. For Ronaldinho, a football legend, to give it to me is exceptional.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I want to thank PSG who came looking for me in 2023, the president, the whole club. Nasser is like a dad to me.
“I also want to thank all the staff who were exceptional, Luis Enrique who is also like a dad. I also want to thank my teammates, we’ve won practically everything. You supported me. We’ve won almost every trophy, and this individual trophy really rewards the team.
“I also want to thank all the clubs I’ve played for: Dortmund, Rennes, my training club, where I learned practically everything, and FC Barcelona, where I dreamed of playing, where I learned from exceptional players like Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
“The Ballon d’Or wasn’t a goal in my career, but it’s exceptional. I worked to try to win the Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and to be rewarded with an individual trophy is exceptional.
“I also want to thank my national team partners, those I grew up with at the youth level, and to thank the coach whose confidence I’ve always had. We now hope to win a World Cup in his final year.”
Dembele then started crying as he took things personal, thanking his family who were also in bits.
“I would also like to thank my city, Evreux, where I grew up and kicked my first football,” he said. “I try to go back there when I have free time; they are always there for me.
“I also thank my family who have always supported me, my agent who has always believed in me. He said that one day I would win the Ballon d’Or.
“Thank you also to my mother and my best friend who has followed me everywhere.”
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