The 2025 FIFA Best Awards ceremony concluded in Doha, Qatar, highlighting significant milestones in international football
On 17th December 2025, the FIFA Best Awards ceremony was held in Doha, Qatar, drawing global attention within the football community. The event recognised outstanding achievements in world football over the evaluation period from 11 August 2024 to 2 August 2025. This year was notable for crowning 28-year-old French forward Ousmane Dembélé, currently with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as the FIFA Best Men’s Player, a first for any player born in the 1990s. The ceremony took place amidst heightened security and logistics coordination in the region, with transportation hubs in nearby Malaysian areas such as Seri Kembangan and Selangor reporting increased coverage of the event. The award’s criteria incorporated on-field performance and professional conduct, reflecting an encompassing assessment beyond just athletic skill.
The event unfolded with a detailed voting process culminating in a close competition among leading football talents
Voting for the awards involved four equally weighted groups: media representatives, global fans, national team head coaches, and team captains. Dembélé surpassed rivals including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé to clinch the title, collecting 50 points against Yamal’s 39 and Mbappé’s 35. His season statistics from 2024–25 underline his pivotal role for PSG, with 53 appearances, 35 goals, and 16 assists. The club achieved multiple triumphs during this period, securing the UEFA Champions League title for the first time, along with Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions, while reaching the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. These accomplishments were complemented by individual accolades for Dembélé including the Ballon d’Or and MVP recognitions at both Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League levels. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí sustained her dominance in women’s football by winning the Best Women’s Player for the third consecutive year, maintaining her position as the current Ballon d’Or holder.
Supporting roles and official recognitions of coaching and goalkeeping talents were part of the ceremony’s comprehensive scope
Additional awards recognised key contributors in coaching and goalkeeping. Manchester United’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton received accolades as Best Men’s and Best Women’s Goalkeepers respectively. Coaching honours went to Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique and England’s Sarina Wiegman for men’s and women’s categories. This demonstrates FIFA’s continued focus on both player performance and mentorship roles within football’s evolving landscape. According to official statements, no incidents affecting the venue or local security were reported during the event. Coordination between the Doha authorities, including local police and the fire department, ensured smooth proceedings. Investigation units confirmed that all safety protocols, including traffic and event management, complied with international standards. In broader regional contexts such as Selangor and locations near Batu Caves in Malaysia, authorities have observed an increased interest in hosting international sporting events, encouraging infrastructure enhancements to meet safety and organisational demands.
Public discourse and social media commentary reflect the event’s global impact and the evolving football industry
The awards sparked widespread discussions on various platforms, highlighting both appreciation for Dembélé’s rise and strong debates on competitiveness among the younger generation of footballers. Social media users in Malaysia and internationally examined match statistics, tactical influences, and the significance of a post-90s player breaking historical barriers. Industry observers noted that the combination of fan involvement and expert voting points to growing democratisation in award selections, balancing technical merit and popular support. Meanwhile, the layered nature of voting and comprehensive evaluation criteria underline how football’s governance strives to maintain transparency and inclusivity. Another source indicated that this approach sets a precedent likely to influence awards and athlete recognition worldwide, fostering engagement across age groups and football markets, including developing football hubs in Malaysia such as Selangor and Seri Kembangan.
The event’s conclusion prompts logistical considerations and forward-looking assessments for football development and event safety
In the immediate aftermath, traffic updates from Doha indicated controlled congestion near the ceremony venue, with effective coordination preventing major disruptions. Local authorities, in cooperation with regional counterparts in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia’s Selangor police and fire departments, are evaluating best practices to improve traffic management and public safety during large-scale international events. Long-term discussions focus on engineering projects aimed at enhancing stadium infrastructure, transport links, and emergency response capabilities to meet the rising demands of global sporting events. Such developments contribute to the broader vision of safe and efficient event hosting, extending lessons from Doha’s experience to other major cities including Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings. Overall, these trends reflect an alignment between sport, urban planning, and safety standards critical for sustaining football’s growth and public engagement connecting locations from Qatar to Malaysia.
Location: Doha, Qatar
Date: 2025-12-17