Ousmane Dembélé has placed decisive nights at the heart of his case for another Ballon d’Or, arguing that Paris Saint-Germain’s management of his early fitness problems allowed him to deliver when the season reached its sharpest edge.
Dembélé makes his case after 2026 Champions League triumph
The 29-year-old France forward, who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or and lifted the Champions League with PSG in 2026, believes his influence in the biggest moments separated him from the field last season.
“I was clearly better in the decisive moments,” Dembélé said. “That matters. It is the first criterion, isn’t it?”
Dembélé explained that Luis Enrique carefully handled the physical issues he suffered in the opening part of the campaign, preserving him for the defining fixtures.
- Dembélé is the reigning 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
- He is also among the contenders for the 2026 award.
- PSG won the Champions League in 2026.
- He credited Luis Enrique with managing his minutes following early-season fitness concerns.
Bayern semi-final stands out
Asked to identify his finest display of the season, Dembélé selected his performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.
The forward accepted that winning football’s leading individual prize has brought a different level of scrutiny. He said the award has made him “more judged”, but insisted that he remains driven to retain it.
“I am a competitor, so my aim is to win it again,” he said. “But I am not obsessed with it either. Sometimes I speak about it with those around me and we say it will be difficult this year, that the Ballon d’Or is very open. We will see.”
Pacho receives Dembélé’s backing
Dembélé’s list of leading candidates included PSG team-mate Willian Pacho, the Ecuador centre-back nominated for the award for the first time. He made a point of highlighting the defender, suggesting Pacho is too often overlooked in debates dominated by attackers.
When asked whether Lionel Messi featured among his choices, Dembélé said no. Instead, he named a broad group of contenders from across the European game.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Harry Kane
- Kylian Mbappé
- Michael Olise
- Lamine Yamal
- Fabián Ruiz
- Willian Pacho
“Pacho! People always forget him,” Dembélé said. “I hope they do not forget him this year. He deserves it.”
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Ousmane Dembélé backs Willian Pacho in Ballon d’Or race
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PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé says decisive performances defined his season, praises Willian Pacho and names his Ballon d’Or contenders.
