September 23, 2025

Ballers at the Ballon d’Or Ceremony

There were plenty more ballers joining Ousmane Dembélé on football’s biggest night as the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony lit up the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. While awards were the focus, fashion certainly had its own spotlight—and Dolce & Gabbana made sure of it.

Lamine Yamal attends the 2025 Ballon D'Or ceremony Dolce & Gabbana
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Too Flat

FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal collected the Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player wearing a Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2025 tuxedo with satin piping. Normally, I’m all for black-on-black, but on him it felt too heavy and flat. At 18-years-old, he has a natural spark and energy that this suit didn’t capture. The fit didn’t help either—the trousers pooled at the hem, swallowing his frame instead of elongating it. With a cleaner cut and a sharper break, this could have been a standout moment. Instead, it skewed overly formal, clashing with his youthfulness. A more contemporary approach would have felt truer to who he is right now. A gold Patek Philippe Cubitus Date timepiece completed his look.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2025
Alessia Elefante, Gianluigi Donnarumma and son attend the 2025 Ballon D'Or ceremony
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Classic Keeper

Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma collected the Yashin Trophy for best male goalkeeper in a custom Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo. This was classic tailoring at its finest—no gimmicks, no trends, just timeless lines that worked perfectly for the 6ft 5in (1.96m) keeper. A Kross Studio MT1 Chronomètre Tourbillon 7 Jours timepiece completed his look.

Dolce Girl Through and Through

His fiancée Alessia Elefante wore a quintessential Dolce look: bralette, sequins, crystals, and micro florals on a maxi skirt. A mini-Sicily clutch and black sandals sealed the look with pure brand DNA.

Mini Match

Their son Leo mirrored his father in a Dolce & Gabbana tux. Nothing beats a father-son twinning moment on a red carpet.

Natalia Rodrigues Belloli, Raphinha and Gael attend the 2025 Ballon D'Or ceremony
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Made-to-measure, just like his passes

FC Barcelona winger Raphinha attended in a made-to-measure Dolce & Gabbana Martini tuxedo—slim in cut and clean in design.

Little man, big style

His son Gael matched his father in a black Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo but swapped the dress shoes for adidas sneakers, a playful touch that drew smiles all around.

Corset Drama

It won’t surprise anyone that his wife, Natalia Rodrigues Belloli, was also in Dolce & Gabbana—the iconic DG metal corset belt gave it away instantly. The belt transformed her black lamé turtleneck dress, adding structure and drama, while a rhinestone-embellished mini-Sicily bag completed the look with signature Dolce flair.

AUTISSIER JEAN BAPTISTE

My Favourite Fit

My favourite of the D&G tailoring was Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries. Like the others, his tuxedo was classic and timeless in design, but it felt that bit sharper. I loved the silhouette, especially the nipped-in waist, which gave the look real definition.

Adekunle Gold attends the 69th Ballon D'Or ceremony Louis Vuitton
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Almost There

Nigerian singer-songwriter Adekunle Gold switched things up from his usual style in Louis Vuitton, sporting a double-breasted black tux with a Vanguard watch. A strong look, though I wish someone had fixed that bow tie—it was the only thing keeping this from perfection.

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