<p>When soccer icons are mentioned, certain names immediately resonate:&nbsp;<strong>Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a></strong></strong>. Legends whose careers were defined not just by their brilliance, but by the rarest kind of achievement. Now, in 2025, another name has been added to that company.&nbsp;<strong>Ousmane Dembele’s latest triumph has elevated him into a club of only ten players in the history of the sport</strong>, a distinction so unique that even <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>, Johan Cruyff, and Ronaldo Nazario never touched it.</p>



<p>The journey, however, has been anything but straightforward. From injury setbacks and doubts over his professionalism, to redemption in Paris with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/psg/">PSG</a>, the Frenchman has finally carved his name into soccer folklore.</p>



<p>The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris once again hosted the Ballon d’Or gala, soccer’s most prestigious individual awards ceremony. On this glittering night,&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ousmane-dembele/">Ousmane Dembele</a> was named the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner</strong>, while Barcelona’s&nbsp;<strong>Aitana Bonmati claimed the women’s title for the third year running</strong>.</p>



<p>For the 28-year-old, the award capped a season of transformation.&nbsp;The Frenchman delivered&nbsp;<strong>35 goals and 16 assists across 53 matches</strong>, spearheading PSG to a historic quadruple that included Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and, most importantly, the club’s first-ever Champions League.</p>



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<h2>From flop to false nine</h2>



<p>Just a year earlier, Dembele’s future looked uncertain. He was briefly sidelined by Luis Enrique due to disciplinary issues. But when Kylian Mbappe departed for Real Madrid, the Parisians’ coach handed him a new role — as a central forward. It proved to be career-defining.</p>



<p>Once known primarily for dazzling dribbles and assists, Dembele became ruthless in front of goal. He not only thrived in the Champions League, contributing&nbsp;<strong>14 direct goal involvements in just 15 matches</strong>, but also showed maturity with his pressing and defending in PSG’s 5-0 final victory over Inter. The player once labeled as a media “flop” at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/">Barcelona</a> had been reborn in Paris.</p>



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<h2>Completing the holy trinity</h2>



<p>But the Ballon d’Or alone was not the story. With this victory,&nbsp;<strong>Ousmane Dembele joined an exclusive club of just ten players in soccer history to achieve what many call the sport’s “holy trinity” — winning the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, and the World Cup.</strong></p>



<p>The Frenchman lifted the World Cup with France in 2018. He finally claimed the Champions League with PSG in 2025. And now, the Ballon d’Or.</p>



<p>The list of players who completed the treble is astonishing: Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Lionel Messi… and now Ousmane Dembele.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>#</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1.</td><td>Bobby Charlton</td><td>England</td></tr><tr><td>2.</td><td>Franz Beckenbauer</td><td>Germany</td></tr><tr><td>3.</td><td>Gerd Muller</td><td>Germany</td></tr><tr><td>4.</td><td>Paolo Rossi</td><td>Italy</td></tr><tr><td>5.</td><td>Zinedine Zidane</td><td>France</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Rivaldo</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>7.</td><td>Ronaldinho</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>8.</td><td>Kaka</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>9.</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>10.</td><td>Ousmane Dembele</td><td>France</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Not even Cristiano Ronaldo managed it: Ousmane Dembele makes history with rare feat, joining Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldinho among few

Not even Cristiano Ronaldo managed it: Ousmane Dembele makes history with rare feat, joining Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldinho among few - World Soccer Talk

destacadas

<p>Marcus Rashford’s long-anticipated move to&nbsp;<strong>Barcelona</strong>&nbsp;was expected to mark the beginning of a fresh chapter in his career. After a turbulent period at&nbsp;<strong>Manchester United</strong>, the&nbsp;<strong>England international</strong>&nbsp;joined the Catalan giants on a&nbsp;<strong>season-long loan</strong>, with an option to buy for<strong><strong>&nbsp;$35 million</strong></strong>&nbsp;next summer. The forward called the transfer a&nbsp;<em>“dream move”</em>—but almost immediately, his dream was met with a dose of cold reality.</p>



<p>It didn’t take long for one of the club’s most revered figures,&nbsp;<strong>Rivaldo</strong>, to weigh in. The&nbsp;<strong>2002 World Cup winner and Ballon d’Or recipient</strong>&nbsp;issued both encouragement and a blunt reality check for Rashford. While the Brazilian legend&nbsp;<strong>backs the Englishman to succeed at the Camp Nou</strong>, he also made it clear that&nbsp;<strong>there would be no shortcuts to stardom</strong>.</p>



<p><em>“He’s got everything it takes to shine, especially with the top manager he’ll have by his side. That will really help with his development,”</em>&nbsp;Rivaldo said in a recent interview.<em> “He’s a fantastic player, no doubt about it. Definitely a brilliant signing.”</em></p>



<p>But the Brazilian was quick to temper expectations. Rashford may be a marquee name, but that doesn’t guarantee him a place in the starting eleven—<strong>especially not in a squad coming off a title-winning season.</strong></p>



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<p><em>“Barcelona had a great season last year, so it’s normal for him to start off on the bench,”</em>&nbsp;Rivaldo added.&nbsp;<em>“Little by little, he’ll find his rhythm, understand how the manager wants the team to play, and gradually settle in. Over time, he’ll earn his spot.”</em></p>



<h2>The harsh Raphinha reality</h2>



<p>Then came the&nbsp;<strong>bad news</strong>: Rashford will not be walking into the team at the expense of&nbsp;<strong>Raphinha</strong>. The Brazilian winger had an&nbsp;<strong>extraordinary 2024/25 season</strong>, tallying&nbsp;<strong>34 goals and 25 assists in 57 appearances</strong>. According to Rivaldo, Raphinha is&nbsp;<strong>untouchable</strong>.</p>



<p><em>“I think it’s highly unlikely that Rashford will take Raphinha’s spot,”</em>&nbsp;Rivaldo stated bluntly.&nbsp;<em>“In my view, Raphinha is currently among the top five players in the world.”</em></p>



<p>He continued: <em>“Right now, he’s an undisputed starter at Barça and already a club icon. Everyone—the players, the coaching staff, the whole club—rates him very highly. What he did last season was outstanding. That position is his.”</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250725_WST_580904_Raphinha-4-1200x675_2e209ac7.webp&amp;width=650&amp;height=365" alt="Raphinha" class="wp-image-566765" width="650" height="365" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/04/23120434/Raphinha-4.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Rashford’s road back to relevance</h2>



<p>Rashford, now&nbsp;<strong>27</strong>, is trying to rediscover the form that once made him one of the Premier League’s most electrifying players. He enjoyed a stellar 2022-23 campaign but&nbsp;<strong>saw his form nosedive</strong>&nbsp;afterward. Last season, he was sent on&nbsp;<strong>loan to Aston Villa</strong>&nbsp;after clashing with United’s manager&nbsp;<strong>Ruben Amorim</strong>. Upon his return, he found himself&nbsp;<strong>isolated from first-team training</strong>, effectively closing the door on his Old Trafford career.</p>



<p>Rivaldo acknowledged the challenges Rashford has faced, but believes a change of scenery could reignite his fire. <em>“He left a club in a tough situation and joined a team like Barcelona. It’s only natural the coach will want to assess him over time. But he’s a hugely talented player and an international. I fully expect him to earn a place in Barca’s starting XI and re-establish himself in the England squad too.”</em></p>

Marcus Rashford gets immediate reality check at Barcelona – And it involves 2025 Ballon d’Or contender Raphinha

Marcus Rashford gets immediate reality check at Barcelona – And it involves 2025 Ballon d'Or contender Raphinha - World Soccer Talk

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Not even Cristiano Ronaldo managed it: Ousmane Dembele makes history with rare feat, joining Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldinho among few

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Marcus Rashford gets immediate reality check at Barcelona – And it involves 2025 Ballon d’Or contender Raphinha