In recent weeks, the Ballon d’Or 2025 has been the subject of much debate in the world of soccer. Ousmane Dembélé, 28-year-old striker for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, was invited by France Football to talk about his place among the favorites.
Dembélé “it’s obviously the Grail individually”.
“Now that your club’s greatest collective trophy has been won, you can tell us: you’re aiming for the Ballon d’Or?
(A little embarrassed.) These are difficult things to say. But when you’re a footballer, winning the Ballon d’Or is obviously the Grail for you individually. It’s something you dream about when you’re a kid. I remember when it was on Téléfoot and I saw the players appear to receive the Ballon d’Or, it was incredible. Just the object itself, the ball, is exceptional.
Dembélé: “Being one of the favourites is already a great victory”.
You’ve gone from never being nominated for the Ballon d’Or to being one of the favorites this season. Did you ever think it would be possible?
I hope to be one of the thirty nominees by now (smiles). I’ve had some difficult years with injuries and poor performances too… This season, I think I’ve performed well, so we’ll see what happens. It would be exceptional to have my name on the list. And to be one of the favourites is already a great victory, even if I hope to win it one day.”
Of course, the collective always takes precedence. Dembélé and the other PSG players have been saying all season that it’s the most important thing. Here, it’s clear that the striker hardly dares to place himself among the nominees when many see him as one of the favourites. A humility that may stem from the fact that this would be a first for him.
And possibly by any means, as the title seems a real possibility. But it’s not certain either, as there is real competition. Including other players at PSG, even if the media and fans in France don’t talk about it much.
In any case, it’s understandable that it’s a dream to join a list of players who have made history. Once you’ve won the collective titles, it’s nice to have something more individual. But there’s still the Club World Cup to come.
