New Delhi, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Ousmane Dembélé, the star player for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is optimistic that the Ballon d’Or will once again remain with the club. He believes that when the winner is announced next month in London, it will be a PSG player who takes home the prestigious award.
The current holder of the Ballon d’Or, Dembélé, noted that winning the accolade has significantly increased his visibility. However, he emphasized his commitment to staying focused on winning the award again while remaining humble and grounded despite his success.
Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or in 2025, showcasing impressive form with 33 goals and 15 assists across all competitions that year. With the list of 30 candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or now released, the PSG forward is once again in the running for this esteemed recognition.
In a conversation with ‘France Football,’ Dembélé shared his experience of joining the select group of players who have won the award. He remarked, “I have become part of a very special family of amazing players. When you’re on the street or in a restaurant, people recognize you as a Ballon d’Or winner. They talk to you about the trophy. That’s what changes.”
Despite the increased attention, Dembélé is committed to maintaining the same personality and values that helped him reach the pinnacle of football. He stated, “No matter what, I want to remain the same person. I don’t want to forget where I came from, and I certainly don’t want to forget that my teammates have helped me perform at this level.”
Dembélé also clarified his ambitions for this year’s award, acknowledging that the competition remains fierce. He insisted, “It will stay in the hands of a PSG player. I am a competitor, so winning it again is my goal. However, as I said, I’m not making it an obsession. We tell ourselves that it will be tough this year, and the Ballon d’Or decision is still pending, but let’s see what happens.”
As the race for the 2026 award heats up, Dembélé faces stiff competition from several big names, including his fellow French teammate Kylian Mbappé. The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place on October 26 in London, and Dembélé hopes to become the next player to successfully defend this individual honor.
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