No one would have thought, even six months ago, that Ousmane Dembélé (28) would be in the conversation to win the Ballon d’Or. Not only is the Frenchman in the mix, but he is arguably the outright favourite.

Dembélé started 2025 in blistering form. So far in the calendar year, he has netted 25 goals, even if only three of those goals have come in the past two months. Whilst the goals have dried up to an extent, the France international remains a key player for Paris Saint-Germain, who come up against Inter Milan in the final of the UEFA Champions League on Saturday night.

That collective prize for PSG would further Dembélé’s claim to football’s top individual prize. But, naturally, the Frenchman’s focus is not on that. “Everyone is talking to me about that but as I have said before, before thinking about the Ballon d’Or, you have to win the Champions League,” the PSG winger told TNT Sports in the lead up to the final in Munich.

He added, “When you’re a PSG player, there are much more important things than individual trophies; you have to think about bringing home this trophy (Champions League).” Dembélé has already won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions in 2025. He will be hoping for another winner’s medal tomorrow.

Tezz | Sandy