As the list of 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or is set to be revealed this Tuesday, the race for the prestigious trophy is taking on a new dimension. Defending champion Ousmane Dembélé believes the award will once again remain in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player.
'The Ballon d'Or is going to stay at PSG'
Asked about the next winner in an interview granted to France Football, Dembélé did not hold back.
'I think it's going to stay in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player.'
The Frenchman, winner of the 2025 edition, nevertheless refuses to place himself among his own favourites. A position consistent with his stance: 'I never vote for myself,' he explains.
Kvaratskhelia, Mbappé and Kane in his top 3
Dembélé then revealed his trio of favourites, without establishing a precise ranking. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, his teammate at PSG, features alongside Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé.
The Georgian thus appears as the main Parisian candidate directly named by Dembélé. His outstanding European campaign with PSG naturally fuels his candidacy, as the Parisian club once again won the Champions League.
The France captain then broadened his list to include several other contenders:
- Michael Olise
- Lamine Yamal
- Fabian Ruiz
- Willian Pacho
He particularly insists on the Ecuadorian PSG defender, whom he does not want to see overlooked in the race for the trophy.
Can PSG pull off the double?
After Dembélé's coronation in 2025, another Parisian triumph would be a further demonstration of PSG's dominance on the European stage.
Dembélé is not the only Parisian defending this possibility, moreover. Luis Enrique had already stated last week that the Ballon d'Or should go to a PSG player, while Vitinha had also named Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé and Fabian Ruiz among his favourites.
It remains to be seen which of the Parisians will manage to convince the voters. The answer comes on 26 October, in London, at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony.
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