Paris Saint-Germain has been named the world's best men's club for the second year running at the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony in London. The award caps a historic 2025-26 season where the French giants successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown and completed a clean sweep of five major trophies.
Ousmane Dembélé, the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, accepted the trophy on behalf of the squad at London's Palladium Theatre. "On behalf of Paris Saint-Germain, thank you," Dembélé said. "We've created an incredible group and club, we fight for each other and we try to give pleasure to the spectators, to neutral people, and to our haters." The decisive factor was their Champions League triumph, secured on penalties against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw in Budapest on May 30. Paris Saint-Germain beat out fellow nominees Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt and Flamengo for the club award.
The collective honour was matched by a record individual presence, with twelve Paris Saint-Germain players recognised during the gala. Ten Parisians were nominated for the main Ballon d'Or award, a club record, with three finishing in the Top 10: Fabian Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Kvaratskhelia, named the Champions League's best player, became the first ever to be decisive in seven consecutive knockout matches. Warren Zaïre-Emery (20) came third in the Kopa Trophy for best young player, while goalkeeper Matvey Safonov ranked fourth for the Yachine Trophy.
Manager Luis Enrique, nominated for the Best Coach award, cemented his legacy by becoming the most decorated manager in Paris Saint-Germain's history with thirteen trophies in just three seasons. Beyond the Champions League and Ligue 1 title, the club also lifted the UEFA Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the French Super Cup last term.
This global recognition comes as Paris Saint-Germain currently sit top of Ligue 1 with 17 points from eight games, holding a one-point lead over Rennes. Their record this season reads five wins, two draws and one loss. The team's recent form has been mixed with two wins and three losses in their last five outings, but they secured a 2-0 win over Lyon last Saturday with goals from Senny Mayulu and Mika Godts. That victory followed a thrilling 4-2 win against Barcelona on 20 October, where Désiré Doue, Lucas Hernández, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz were on the scoresheet. The team's top scorer this season is Ferran Torres with four goals. Their next fixture is away to 18th-placed Le Havre this Friday 30 October. The Parisian squad, having scored 16 goals while conceding nine, will look to consolidate their position at the summit.
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