Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi congratulated their former club teammate Ousmane Dembélé after winning the Ballon d’Or on Monday.
Dembélé beat the Lamina of Barcelona Yamal to raise the prestigious individual trophy after an impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain.
The France striker scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists in 53 games to help PSG win his first Champions League as well as to win the title Ligue 1 and the French Cup.
Mbappé, who left PSG in the summer of 2024 after seven years at the club to join Real Madrid, was among the first to congratulate his teammate in France.
“Ousmane Dembélé. It’s so exciting, my brother! You deserve it 1000 times,” wrote Mbappé on his Instagram a few minutes after Dembélé received the award.
Mbappé, 26, who has not yet won a golden ball, finished seventh in this year’s edition.
Eight times the Golden Ball winner, Messi, was also delighted to see Dembélé obtain the recognition he deserves.
– The Henry type switch who helped Débélé win the Ballon d’Or
– The Dembélé Golden Ball is like the dawn of a new era
– Marseille Stun Psg, End Champion of Ligue 1 of the Champion 1
Messi spent four seasons with Dembélé in Barcelona before the Argentine star moved to PSG in 2021.
The inter Miami captain left a comment in Spanish on Instagram de Dembélé and wrote: “Great Oous !!! Congratulations I am so happy for you. You deserve it.”
Dembélé, who moved to PSG in 2023 in Barcelona in the same transfer window which saw Messi leave the French giants to join Inter Miami, mentioned his former Barça teammate during his acceptance speech.
“I learned so much there [at Barcelona]playing alongside players like Messi and [Andres] Iniesta, “he said on Monday.
“It was an excellent learning experience. I am so happy when I see the list of legends who won this award.”
