At the 2025 Ballon d’Or gala in Paris England women’s national team coach Sarina Wiegman stood on the global stage to celebrate more than just football She expressed pride in her team’s achievements and at the same time brought a touch of warmth and joy by giving a shout out to one of her favourite artists Burna Boy During her acceptance speech for the Johan Cruyff Trophy awarded to the best coach Wiegman spoke with passion about the growth of the women’s game the responsibility that comes with it and even added a playful note about music and dancing .
Awards and Ceremony Highlights
The Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris once again honoured the finest players coaches and clubs from across the football world On the men’s side the top award went to Ousmane Dembele whose performances lit up the past season In the women’s game Aitana Bonmati made history by winning the Ballon d’Or for a third year in a row cementing her legacy Other prizes such as the Kopa Trophy for young players the Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers and the awards for clubs of the year reflected the range of talent and achievement in the sport On the coaching front the Johan Cruyff Trophy went to Sarina Wiegman recognising her leadership of the England women’s national team after their success at Euro 2025 .
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Wiegman’s Speech and the Burna Boy Moment
As she accepted her award Wiegman used the moment to deliver a message that stretched beyond football She spoke about the remarkable growth of women’s football and how England had become a central part of that journey She stressed that with such growth comes responsibility The game she said must remain inclusive authentic and welcoming She underlined the importance of fighting against division calling out misogyny and racism as issues that football must continue to resist .
After addressing the serious side of her message she lightened the mood with a smile and a personal touch If Burna Boy is around she said then maybe there should be a bit of dancing too The line drew laughter and applause and revealed another side of Wiegman one that values joy celebration and music as part of life and leadership .
Why the Burna Boy Reference Resonated
The shout out was not random For Wiegman Burna Boy represents more than a favourite artist He has been part of her public story already Earlier in the year during England’s Euro 2025 victory parade in London Burna Boy made a surprise appearance and joined the celebrations on stage The scenes of Wiegman dancing and embracing him became unforgettable images of joy after triumph She has also mentioned in interviews that some of his music especially the track For My Hand holds a special place for her .
By weaving his name into her Ballon d’Or speech Wiegman showed the world a glimpse of her personality It was not just about football tactics or results but about culture humanity and shared moments of happiness It reminded everyone that behind the trophies and titles there is a person who connects through music and joy .
Leadership Identity and Public Persona
Wiegman’s gesture tells us much about her style of leadership She is known as a serious disciplined coach yet she balances that with warmth and authenticity Her willingness to celebrate openly to dance and to share personal influences makes her more relatable to fans and players alike It highlights that leadership is not only about discipline and control but also about allowing space for joy .
The crossover between sport and culture is another part of the story Football today is global and so is music When a coach like Wiegman mentions an artist like Burna Boy she helps bridge communities and shows how interconnected the worlds of sport and culture truly are It is a reflection of how identity and relatability matter in building stronger connections with audiences .
Reaction and Takeaway
The moment quickly became one of the most talked about parts of the ceremony Audiences appreciated how genuine and heartfelt it felt It stood out against the more formal tone of award speeches reminding everyone that even at prestigious events joy and spontaneity have their place It also humanised women’s football showing that success is not only about records and medals but also about the culture and spirit that surround the game .
Conclusion
Sarina Wiegman’s shout out to Burna Boy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony captured perfectly the blend of seriousness and joy that defines her leadership She delivered important messages about growth inclusivity and the fight against discrimination while also reminding the world that football is a celebration too Her words painted a picture of a leader who not only wins but also connects inspires and dances when the music calls .