With the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or unveiled this week, Ousmane Dembélé spoke to L’Équipe about the prestigious trophy he won for the first time in his career last year. The 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and France forward discussed what he might—or might not—change, as well as the pitfalls and the demands that come with the title.
Dembélé: “You have to work on yourself.” “Is it fair to criticize a Ballon d’Or winner?
Yes, obviously. Just because you win that trophy doesn’t mean you’re ‘immune.’ Not at all. It’s actually the opposite.
Is there less room for error when you’re a Ballon d’Or winner?
Yes, that’s pretty much it. You have to be strong all the time. You have to play well in every match; otherwise, people say, ‘Oh, look!’ It’s funny, but it doesn’t change anything. You’re always going to face criticism.
Do you feel different from the others when you’re a Ballon d’Or winner?
No—though you do have to work on yourself. You can’t let your ego take over. You have to stay true to yourself. I think that’s something every player has to work on, especially if you’ve won the Ballon d’Or. You have to watch out for your ego. It can consume you.
Dembélé: ‘No, just like the others.’
Should a coach manage a Ballon d’Or winner differently?
No, just like the others. That said, I think when you get a bit older—when you’ve spent at least ten or twelve years in football—a coach doesn’t manage you the same way they would a youngster who’s just turned pro, Ballon d’Or or not. I’m not some kid who’s just arrived in the professional world.
Is it acceptable not to extend a Ballon d’Or winner’s contract?
Not extend the contract? (He smiles. According to L’Équipe, he and the club are close to an extension.) You do what you want. Ultimately, it’s up to the coach, the sporting director, and the president to decide. You might be a Ballon d’Or winner, but if they don’t want to extend your contract or if they tell you to leave the club, you’re leaving, my friend.
Dembélé: ‘Before…'” …thinking about that individual trophy; you have to win with the team.”
Can you demand more from your club when you’re a Ballon d’Or winner?
No, you have to be reasonable.
Do you still have things to prove when you’re a Ballon d’Or winner?
Yes, and even more so once you’ve won that trophy. You have to show every season that you didn’t win it for nothing. But in August, you start from scratch. You don’t forget the past, but you put it aside and look to the future. Once you get a taste of it, you want it to continue. Before thinking about that individual trophy, you have to win with the team. Because if you don’t have a good season—both individually and collectively—you aren’t going to win that trophy.”
Far from letting a big ego take over, Dembélé keeps his feet firmly on the ground. That required some “work,” as he admits—which makes sense given such a trophy. There are already stars in football, but this represents the ultimate accolade for a player, with only one winner a year and a status that inevitably becomes unique.
People’s perception of the player changes, and not always for the better. As the forward points out—and as we have certainly seen—expectations rise, and criticism comes very quickly. It is as if winning the Ballon d’Or grants a special power to succeed at everything. Yet the player remains a human being, prone to mistakes and difficult spells. This is especially true when playing a second consecutive season with almost no break.
Dembélé faced some physical setbacks in the first half of the season, which slowed his start a little—just like the rest of the Paris squad. However, the coaching staff managed the number 10 very well, as they did the whole team. We witnessed his momentum building and a return to form, allowing him to shine once again. And to win. Credit is also due to the French international’s excellent mindset; he hasn’t let the idea that he is suddenly superior to the others go to his head. This demonstrates that the philosophy shared by the club and coach Luis Enrique is firmly established: no one is bigger than the collective. Players must always prioritize the team and earn their spot for the challenges ahead; there is no room for special treatment or making unique demands.
This is a key factor in the success of this PSG side, despite its wealth of exceptional talent. One can only hope that this synergy endures and translates into success on the pitch, leading to major team trophies. Of course, victory is never guaranteed, and the competition will be fierce this season. Yet Paris boasts strong assets—including its Ballon d’Or winner and other contenders within the squad—and, above all, a collective spirit.
