Laurent Blanc, former French national team coach (2010-2012) and Paris Saint-Germain coach (2013-2016) now at Al-Ittihad, spoke to Le Parisien in an interview published this Wednesday. He talked about PSG’s victory in the Champions League, but also about the possible Ballon d’Or 2025 for Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old striker for Paris and Les Bleus).
Blanc “It bothers me a little.”
“Of course it does. He’s had a great season, he’s won everything. He meets all the criteria to be in the race. After that, there are often surprises, where the winner isn’t the one you expect. Honestly, for me, this award is an individual distinction, and that bothers me a little. I don’t know him personally, but I hope Ousmane succeeds Karim Benzema (as the French winner, that was in 2022).”
Laurent Blanc doesn’t want to get too far ahead of himself, which is logical, given that there are surprises in store for the Ballon d’Or, and in any case he can’t do anything about Dembélé’s victory. He does, however, hope that Dembélé will win, and points out that the Parisian No.10 has a strong case to make. Support that’s always appreciated.
Above all, we understand the position of the coach, who is not a fan of this individual trophy. It’s rather peculiar for a team sportsman. Everyone stresses PSG’s strength this season, but it’s also essential to try and choose someone for this trophy. Which always leads to great debate, discontent and tension.
Perhaps, quite simply, because it’s the team that counts in soccer. Some may like the battle for this honorary title. But it won’t change our happiness after winning the Champions League this season. And perhaps the Club World Cup (which would be an added bonus for the Parisians…).
