Ousmane Dembélé does not intend to campaign to keep his Ballon d’Or. Just hours before the announcement of the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, the Paris Saint-Germain forward shared his own ranking with L’Équipe. For him, the trophy should stay at PSG and his top three is composed of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé.
Dembélé still sees a Parisian winning
As the defending champion after his 2025 victory, Ousmane Dembélé is categorical about the identity of the future winner: he still imagines a PSG player lifting the trophy: “I don’t think this trophy is undecided. I think it will remain in the hands of a PSG player.”
A conviction that naturally places Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the main candidates. The Georgian is also Michel Platini’s choice. The three-time Ballon d’Or recently explained that he was placing “a small bet” on Kvaratskhelia for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Kvaratskhelia, Kane, and Mbappé: his top 3
When asked to give his podium, Dembélé does not mention his own name: “My top 3? Kvara, Harry Kane, and I think Kylian Mbappé.” Kvaratskhelia thus comes first in his answer, ahead of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé. Three players who are among the main contenders announced to succeed him.
The captain of Les Bleus therefore ranks third, while he himself has just asserted his ambitions with great arrogance for a player who has won nothing this season. The Real Madrid forward declared: “I am the best player in the world. The Ballon d’Or? People talk to me about it in the street”.
Olise, Yamal, Fabian Ruiz, and Pacho also in the discussion
Dembélé does not limit the race to three players. He mentions Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Fabian Ruiz, and particularly emphasizes his teammate Willian Pacho’s case: “Michael Olise could be in because he had an incredible season, Lamine Yamal, Fabian Ruiz. And Pacho, I hope we don’t forget him this year.”
Fabian Ruiz is indeed among the names regularly cited among the candidates, as are Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise. The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or appears particularly open, ahead of the official reveal of the 30 nominees this Tuesday.
Mbappé, a good individual season but no trophy
Mbappé’s case remains particular. The Frenchman scored many goals but finished the 2025-2026 season without a collective trophy. Michel Platini himself summarized it: “Kylian had a great season, he was top scorer everywhere, unfortunately they will say he won nothing.”
A contrast all the more striking since since Mbappé’s departure, PSG has won two consecutive Champions Leagues, while the forward just completed a trophyless season with Real Madrid.
Dembélé apparently does not hold this against his former teammate: Mbappé remains in his top 3. But his first choice is indeed Kvaratskhelia. And on one point, the 2025 Ballon d’Or leaves little room for doubt: according to him, the trophy must stay at PSG.
