Once regarded as one of football’s hottest prospects, Ousmane Dembélé’s big-money move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona came as no surprise. However, a string of injuries and inconsistent performances made it difficult for the French forward to truly establish himself in Spain.
With Lamine Yamal rising through the ranks at Barcelona, Dembélé was eventually deemed surplus to requirements. After six seasons, he made the switch to Paris two years ago—and it’s clear he has reignited his career back in his homeland.
With Rodri sidelined by a season-ending injury in the first trimester of the campaign, it’s obvious he won’t be in the running to defend football’s most prestigious individual award. Dembélé’s heroics—both domestically and in Europe—have now made him a clear favourite to succeed the Spaniard.
PSG head coach Luis Enrique has publicly voiced his support for Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or candidacy, praising his performance in the Champions League final.
Desire Doué scored a brace, while Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu each added a goal in PSG’s remarkable 5–0 triumph over Inter. Though Dembélé didn’t find the back of the net, he provided two key assists for Doué and Kvaratskhelia, playing a starring role in the historic win.
In a post-match interview, Enrique said, “Everyone is concerned about who I would give the Ballon d’Or to; I would give the Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembele for the way he defended in this final. That’s what you call leading a team.
“I sincerely believe he deserves the Ballon d’Or, without a doubt, not just for the titles he won or the goals he scored, but for his pressing. He’s done it all season, but exceptionally in this final.”
Can Dembélé win the Ballon d’Or?
With few international fixtures left in the calendar, it’s evident that club performances will play the decisive role in determining the Ballon d’Or winner. The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup could also prove to be a critical factor when the winner is announced on September 22 in Paris.
Dembélé has been instrumental in helping Paris Saint-Germain clinch the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and most notably, their maiden UEFA Champions League trophy.
Throughout the Champions League knockout stages, Dembélé was pivotal—scoring crucial goals at both Anfield and the Emirates. He has been central to everything that has gone right in PSG’s attack under Enrique. As it stands, he is widely regarded as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, boasting an impressive tally of 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 games in all competitions.
READ MORE: History Made: PSG Storm to First Champions League Title
