Dembélé rules out Mbappé, tips a PSG star to win the Ballon d’Or

Speaking to France Football, Ousmane Dembélé stated that the trophy would « stay in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player. » In his personal top three, the forward listed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé in no particular order. The Georgian winger boasts 10 goals and 7 assists in 16 Champions League appearances. The French champions therefore have massive arguments to retain their crown.

This ranking clearly puts the former Parisian player behind the key figures of Luis Enrique‘s current squad. The Paris number 10 acknowledges the campaign produced by the Real Madrid forward. However, he favors the collective momentum that carried Paris to European heights. Far from the controversies fueled off the pitch, this pick highlights raw output and consistency at the highest level. The race heads toward its climax without room for individual sentiments.

Crowned during the 2025 edition according to the French Football Federation, the French international categorically refuses to take part in any self-promotion campaign. Although featured on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, he insists he would never cast a vote for himself. That personal restraint highlights a collective mindset, far removed from individual media campaigns. The Parisian winger prefers to let his football do the talking while shining a light on the defensive solidity of the French champions.

The former Rennes academy graduate places particular emphasis on the impact of Willian Pacho, while also mentioning Fabian Ruiz, Michael Olise, and Lamine Yamal. He hopes the Ecuadorian defender receives fair recognition after proving essential to the stability of the Parisian dressing room. The ceremony scheduled for October 26, 2026, in London will show how much weight these defensive displays carry. Ahead of that event, Paris Saint-Germain return to domestic action by hosting Le Mans at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with kick-off at 8:45 PM.