'You deserve it' - Lionel Messi sends special message to Ousmane Dembele after ex-Barcelona team-mate scoops 2025 Ballon d'Or

Dembele was presented with the prestigious Golden Ball in Paris on Monday, after he played a pivotal role in helping PSG make history in the 2024-25 season. The Ligue 1 giants stormed to another Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France while also securing their first Champions League crown. The Frenchman contributed with 35 goals and 16 assists. 

Barcelona legend Messi, who shared a dressing room with Dembele for four years at Camp Nou, left a comment on Dembele's Instagram post celebrating his Ballon d'Or triumph. The Argentine maestro wrote: "Grande Ous !!! Congratulations I’m so happy for you. You deserve it."

Dembele's France national team colleague Kylian Mbappe was also over the moon seeing his close friend winning the Golden Ball, as he wrote on his Instagram story: "Ousmane Dembele. It's the emotions, my brother. You deserve it a thousand times over."

Dembele was able to attend Monday's ceremony in Paris and skip PSG's rescheduled Ligue 1 clash with Marseille as he is still nursing an injury that he suffered during the international break. He is hoping to regain full fitness in time for his club's next domestic game on Saturday against Auxerre.