Dembélé as Ballon d'Or winner: What's behind Rima's absence?

Dembélé as Ballon d'Or winner: What's behind Rima's absence?

On September 24, 2025, Ousmane Dembélé received the award as the new king of football at the Ballon d'Or. The 28-year-old Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker drew attention with his outstanding season in which he scored an impressive 35 goals and provided 14 assists. His exceptional performances contributed significantly to PSG winning the UEFA Champions League this season as well as four other titles, including Ligue 1 and the French Cup. An absolute highlight was the decisive goal against AS Monaco and the decisive assist in the UCL final against Inter Milan. The entire football world watched him in the glamorous light of the awards ceremony, but one person was missing from his side: his wife, Rima Edbouche.

Rima's absence caused a lot of speculation. Ousmane appeared alone on the red carpet, accompanied by his mother and a few friends. Many fans wondered if there was tension in the relationship or religious reasons for her non-attendance. According to information from Football365 However, Rima simply wants to maintain her privacy. Only 25 years old, she largely stays out of the spotlight but has shown her support for Ousmane through symbolic posts on social media.

The private life of the Dembélés

Rima and Ousmane have been married since December 2021 and celebrated their wedding in traditional Moroccan style. Their daughter was born on September 16, 2022, underscoring Rima's influence on Ousmane's career: his performance has consistently improved since marriage. Rima, who is also an active TikToker and has over 300,000 followers, is committed to her roots and may have contributed a part to Dembélé's career. The player's mother and family were present at the ceremony, showing that despite Rima's absence, family bonds remain strong. Bollywood Shaadis reports that the star footballer has improved significantly after his marriage and particularly excels in situations under pressure.

Rima's decision not to be present at the ceremony is not seen as a sign of a crisis in the relationship, but rather as an expression of a conscious and considered way of life. When Dembélé receives the Ballon d'Or after an earlier, less successful chapter at Barcelona, ​​he sends a strong signal for the new beginning in his career, which he also owes to his family. The couple celebrated their success in an intimate way over dinner at Lafayette, showing that they are putting the focus on their family as their professional successes skyrocket.

Sporting successes and future

Dembélé, who has been his team's top scorer this season, leads the list of Ballon d'Or candidates, followed by Lamine Yamal and Vitinha. His achievements not only helped PSG achieve historic glory, but also catapulted him personally into a new dimension. Bleacher Report highlights that Dembélé's career is seen as a story of resurrection.

Ultimately, the Dembélés manage to balance their professional and private lives, with Rima, despite her absence from the big stages of the football world, always remaining present - in the hearts and minds of Ousmane and his family. Looking ahead to the next challenges, one thing is certain: football has gained one of its brightest stars in Ousmane Dembélé - and we can be excited to see what the future has in store.