Ousmane Dembele has given his view on who should win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, although the player he identified is not named in the available report.
The France and Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder is the current holder of the prestigious individual award. His comments come after a highly successful campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, who retained the UEFA Champions League title and also won Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain secured their second consecutive UEFA Champions League triumph last season. In the final, the French club defeated Arsenal on penalties, with Enrique’s team prevailing after the decisive match could not be settled in normal play.
That European success formed part of a campaign in which Paris Saint-Germain also claimed the Ligue 1 title. The club’s domestic and continental achievements provide the background to Dembele’s assessment of the next Ballon d’Or race.
Dembele’s own status as the reigning winner places particular attention on his opinion. He is the player currently recognised as the holder of the award, while Paris Saint-Germain’s success has once again put the club’s squad and its leading performers at the centre of discussion about the next recipient.
The Ballon d’Or debate for 2026 is therefore being considered against the backdrop of Paris Saint-Germain’s consecutive UEFA Champions League victories and their Ligue 1 title. Dembele has shared his view on which team the next winner should represent, but the source text does not specify the individual name he mentioned.
His comments follow a season in which Paris Saint-Germain completed a domestic and European double. The club’s victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final came via a penalty shootout, while the Ligue 1 championship added another major honour to Enrique’s campaign.
Dembele remains central to the award conversation because he is the current Ballon d’Or winner. His recognition came before the latest discussion about the 2026 prize, meaning his opinion carries added relevance when assessing which player could succeed him.
The French international’s remarks also underline the importance of club achievement in the Ballon d’Or discussion. Paris Saint-Germain’s latest campaign included success in both of the competitions named in the report: the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1.
However, while the article confirms that Dembele has expressed an opinion on the identity of the potential 2026 winner, it does not provide the name of the player or the club he selected.