Hard not to feel the aura ofMathias Gidselas soon as his name circulates on a field or in a locker room. Over the years, it has established itself as a global reference: electedBest player in the worldIn 2025, the Dane transformed every moment into a demonstration of collective sense and creativity – a familiar impression for those who had already experienced these trainings out of time, where the team gesture took precedence over the spectacular feat.
After twenty years of living this sporting passion from various angles, this kind of distinction seems to me to reflect as much excellence as humility, this quality which raises a group far beyond statistics. This is exactly what experienced trainers seek to transmit, ball in hand or even during nautical sessions.
Summary of key points
- ✅ Mathias Gidsel voted best player in the world in 2025
- ✅ Her style combines collective sense and creativity
- ✅ Distinction perceived as a symbol of excellence and humility
Contents
Who was voted the best player in the world in 2025?
In the world of handball, it is difficult to miss out on the phenomenon from Denmark. The question comes up regularly in discussions between enthusiasts, in the changing rooms or in meetings between friends. Without turning around the pot: Mathias Gidsel sets this year as the reference. His 2024/2025 season will remain engraved and has indeed changed the perception of the post.
Mathias Gidsel, MVP and World Recordman 2025
In 2025, at only 26, Mathias Gidsel (Füchse Berlin) collected all the honours: MVP of the 2025 World Championship,best scorer (74 goals, absolute record in final)and offensive figure of Denmark, sacred country for 4econsecutive (source: L).
He also scored the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, aligning efficiency and collective vision, with 45 assists at the World Championship to add to his goal meter.
What distinguishes Gidsel, far beyond the numbers, is the variety of his interventions and the finesse of his game. It has the whole palette: bursts of shine, reading the game, and this ability to sublimate its partners. It is not uncommon for some adversaries to go away on some evenings wondering how he was able to escape their vigilance so often.
- MVP of the World 2025with an unprecedented total of 74 goals on the competition
- Already 2023 World Player of the Year (IHF)
- MVP of the Olympic Games 2021 and 2024, proof of its consistency at the highest level
- More than 300 achievementsin international senior selections
In the observers' feedbacks, it is regularly understood that, over the period 2021-2025, no other player had such an impact on the great handball appointments.
The Gidsel phenomenon in figures
To understand the scope of his performances, it is enough to note this eloquent statistic: at the 2025 World Championship, Gidsel scored 74 goals and delivered 45 assists in just 9 matches, i.e. more13 decisive actions per meeting. He also joined the IHF-type team for the third year in a row.
His style seduces, but he also questions – some « old » of the Rhone entrust that such a balance between individual shine and sense of collective play is an exception. Specialists often talk about « Natural leadership » ; In Gidsel, this dimension seems instinctive, perceptible as soon as warm-up.
Is that really what makes a game swing? A trainer recently mentioned that key players do not just align statistics, they inspire a whole changing room.
Good to know
I recommend that you always observe beyond statistics: « Natural leadership » a player like Gidsel influences the energy and confidence of the entire team.
How is the title awarded?
An individual trophy always hides sometimes subtle workings, or even sources of passionate discussions. So, how does the world of handball designate its annual star?
The IHF process: votes, jury and subtleties
Since 1987, the International Handball Federation (IHF) has been presenting the iconic title of « Best player in the world ». The attribution method combines voting by a jury of experts (selectors, international journalists) and public participation via online polls.
This dual-entry system aims to preserve balance and representativeness – a development introduced a few years ago to strengthen the legitimacy of the winner.
- Voice of the professional jury: about50% of final result
- Public vote: a growing role, especially since2018
Candidates are usually revealed in January or February for a list made public in the spring (HandNews).
A few exceptional years exist: for example, during the health crisis in 2020, the reward was not given.
In the coaching environment, it is well known that even a legend can escape the distinction because of an injury or half-tone season. Sometimes the discussions on the « True » winner remain alive long after the award of the trophy (some still remember polemics about the mixed vote!).
| Year | Winner | Dominant mode |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mathias Gidsel | Joint vote (jury/public) |
| 2024 | Ongoing (named Gidsel, Wolff, Dujshebaev) | Online voting + experts |
| 2023 | Mathias Gidsel | Mixed voting |
| … | … | … |
Criteria: performance, ratings... and influence
In the analysis of experts (often referred to in the specialised media), it is evident that classic statistics (goals, passes, titles won) count, but the ability to influence a key game or to carry its team beyond its own performance remains central.
Some players won this honour while on the second step of the podium, simply because they scored a tournament (Karabatic in 2016, for example).
We must remember that human contact also plays: charisma, inspiration, behavior on and off the ground are also scrutinized. A coach recently told me that the best of the season isn't always the one that the official photo puts at the top... This assessment « nuanced » has often fed passionate debates in clubs.
Good to know
I suggest you also consider human qualities and charisma: they often count as much as the performances in the match for the title election.
Awards and rankings since 2010
From one year to the next, the ranking changes, but some dynasties settle and leave their mark. Let's take a look at the last ten seasons, where players have confirmed their superiority over time.
Table of male and female winners IHF
Below is a summary of the winners who marked the decade, on an updated basis in early 2025. Note – women's rankings sometimes follow different logics, but the few double men/women remain a great source of national pride.
| Year | Male | Female | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mathias Gidsel | Heny Reistad | Denmark/Norway |
| 2024 | (On hold) | (On hold) | – |
| 2023 | Mathias Gidsel | Heny Reistad | Denmark/Norway |
| 2022 | Nedim Remili | Cristina Neagu | France/Romania |
| 2021 | Mikkel Hansen | Stine Oftedal | Denmark/Norway |
| … | … | … | … |
Since 2010, Denmark has already exceeded the threshold of5 IHF securitiesMen. On the female side, Norway and Romania regularly illustrate, drawn by players such as Heny Reistad or Cristina Neagu, which many specialists already consider as legends of their generation.
Records and trends: who dominates what?
Some names go through times. Cristina Neagu counts4 IHF securities(never equal in women); Nikola Karabatic and Mikkel Hansen total each3 distinctionsMen.
Behind them, the competition is sharpened, with younger players – some wonder if Gidsel, still at 27, will soon be a top-ranked icon.
To be linked to the collective list: THW Kiel Club7.5 European titleswon by his players, a marker of club influence in the rise of large individualities.
This sometimes raises the question: is not the club environment decisive in individual success? A physical preparer pointed out that collective dynamics often count more than is thought in the light of stars.
Other suitors, duel and career narrative
One fact remains: no player settles « King » Hand forever. If Gidsel shines today, there is no shortage of rivals! Review of those who lead the debates in the fora and whose career inspires many club discussions during the matchbacks.
Andreas Wolff, special guard
German doorman Andreas Wolff imposed himself in 2024 by his regularity: finalist of the World Championship, sacred best guardian of Europe, and MVP of the Champions League. He marks the minds by his reflexes, his management of the key moments, and by the fact that he obtained93.5% of votes for best goaltender (IHF 2023).
Some coaches say that the tranquillity of a collective is sometimes due to the reliability of its last rampart, and Wolff perfectly embodies this reassuring role.
Alex Dujshebaev, the Spanish strategist
Alex Dujshebaev, less exposed in media than some rivals, remains one of the engines of the Kielce club and the Spanish selection. Its trajectory is illustrated by aimpressive regularityMore than 160 selections and two MVP titles in the Spanish championship.
An assistant coach slipped the other day that, to break through at the highest level, he multiplied tactical options and always adjusted his tempo to surprise.
- From 2023 until 2025:always in the top 5 IHF, constant performance
- Awards: European champion 2022, finalist at world championship 2024
In session, young players sometimes ask: « Why Dujshebaev rather than another? » The most honest answer: he knows how to detect openness where others hesitate.
A trainer noticed that he regularly makes a difference on almost imperceptible details for the public.
To better understand the rise of talents like Mathias Gidsel, explore ourpanorama of iconic handball figures.
Such a level of excellence recalls the legends of collective sport, such as those mentioned in theBest attacker of all time: ranking, debates and legacy.
To better understand Mathias Gidsel's impact in the global context, theHandball Nations Ranking: World Hierarchy and Major Developments in 2025offers valuable insight into Danish domination.
Other key figures to follow
One could also mention Aymeric Minne (France), Sander Sagosen (Norway), or Dika Mem in Barça. All have anchored their place in European handball in recent seasons.
But it is often observed that the Danish flag continues to impose itself in top rankings, for this edition at least. Should we read about a cyclical domination or the effect of an exceptional generation?
FAQ: All about individual handball distinctions
Some last frequent questions before folding the session? Here are synthetic answers, accompanied by anecdotes gleaned from the discussions with players and trackers.
Who is the best handball player in the world today?
In 2025, all the indicators lead to Mathias Gidsel: MVP of the World Championship, IHF player of the year 2023, he embodies this mixture of leadership, efficiency and regularity that is unanimous among the jury and the public.
According to an international journalist, this is « Additional soul » which distinguishes the real number one.
What are the criteria for being elected best player?
The main points are the consistency of the statistics (goals, passes), the performance on the decisive matches, the rankings in the club and in the national team, not to mention the influence with the peers.
Sometimes the recognition of the public or the IHF jury makes the balance tilt, for a player capable of instilling confidence around him.
How many times has Mathias Gidsel been MVP or IHF winner?
It has already been sacredtwice best player in the worldby IHF (2023 and 2025) and wonthree MVP titlesMajor: World 2025, Olympic Games 2021 and 2024.
It is uncommon to see such a series in just as few years a statistic regularly cited at the coaching round tables.
Why does Denmark dominate male handball?
Since 2021, the Danish selection has accumulated titles and podiums: four consecutive world championships, two Olympic medals...
Such a rule rests on several pillars: stability of management, continuing training of young people, and a culture of shared effort.
During an observation workshop, it is striking to see U16 teams already integrated into a very successful game dynamic! This model regularly challenges trainers from neighbouring countries.
Where can I find the full list of IHF winners?
For a detailed overview of the individual charts – all seasons, all posts, all nationalities –the IHF laureates table on Wikipediaor the official website of the International Federation are among the reliable resources.
The enthusiasts regularly use it as a reference before the major competitions, moreover.
How do these rankings evolve from year to year?
This top 5 remains, in general, fairly stable even if each major international competition (Global, Euro, JO) offers an outsider the opportunity to climb quickly in the hierarchy.
We observe that the dynamics sometimes play on a detail: physical fitness, timing of a return injury... A preparer recently noted that the slightest variation in shape can upset the situation.
So the suspense remains total until the end!
Updated on 21 March 2026
