PSG star Ousmane Dembélé honored his Normandy roots Oct. 8, 2025: receiving Évreux’s city medal at town hall, showcasing his Ballon d’Or, and inspiring youth at his boyhood club Évreux FC.
October 8 wasn’t just another day in Évreux. The quiet Normandy city of 50,000 erupted in cheers as its most famous son—Ousmane Dembélé—returned home, Ballon d’Or in hand and pride on his sleeve. The Paris Saint-Germain forward’s visit wasn’t just a victory lap; it was a full-circle moment for the kid who once honed skills on La Madeleine neighborhood’s tarmac pitches .
Town Hall荣耀: Dembélé Earns Évreux’s Highest Honor
Crowds packed Place de l’Hôtel de Ville hours before the ceremony, clutching jerseys and homemade signs. Inside Évreux’s historic town hall, Mayor Guillaume Garot presented Dembélé with the city’s highest honor—a vermeil medal, echoing Paris’ prestigious civic awards —for “elevating Évreux’s name to global footballing heights.”
“This isn’t just mine,” Dembélé said, his accent still carrying traces of Normandy. “It’s for every coach who stayed late, every friend who played rondo with me at ‘the Play,’ every neighbor who cheered when I left for Rennes.” The room erupted when he held up his 2025 Ballon d’Or, won after a 33-goal, 15-assist treble season with PSG . “I dreamed of this here, on those concrete pitches.”
Ballon d’Or Shines Bright for Évreux’s Next Generation
The trophy took center stage at Stade du 14 Juillet, home of Évreux FC—the club where coach Ahmed Wahbi first spotted 6-year-old Dembélé kicking a ball on wasteland . Dozens of youth players gathered, jaws dropping as Dembélé placed the golden award on a table, then laughed as a 7-year-old asked, “Can I hold it… just for two seconds?”
He obliged, then led a mini-rondo, just like the ones that made him untouchable as a kid . “When I was your age, this trophy felt impossible,” he told the group. “But look at me—same streets, same club. Talent gets you noticed, but grit keeps you going.” The moment quickly trended locally, with parents posting photos of their kids grinning next to the Ballon d’Or.
Évreux’s Football Legacy: Dembélé Joins the Greats
Évreux has long punched above its weight in French football, producing stars like Bernard Mendy and Steve Mandanda —but Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or cements its status as a talent hotbed. “He’s not just a player; he’s proof our neighborhoods breed champions,” said Évreux FC president Laurent Dubois, noting the club now has a waiting list for youth tryouts.
For longtime residents, the visit stirred nostalgia. “I remember him sneaking into our street games,” said 42-year-old Amadou Diatta, Dembélé’s cousin. “He was tiny but never lost the ball—we knew he’d make it.” Now, kids in La Madeleine play with “Dembélé” scribbled on their socks, dreaming of following his path.
Home Is Where the Heart (and Trophy) Is
As the sun set, Dembélé posed for one last photo outside his childhood apartment building, Ballon d’Or glinting in the light. His visit wasn’t just about honoring the past—it was about fueling the future. “Évreux made me who I am,” he said before leaving. “Every time I score, every time I lift a trophy, I’m carrying this city with me.”
For Évreux, the feeling is mutual. On Oct. 8, their hometown hero came home—and reminded everyone that even the biggest dreams start on small pitches.