Jose Mourinho didn't hesitate when naming who should win the Ballon d'Or and it's not Ousmane Dembele or Lamine Yamal

Legendary manager Jose Mourinho had no doubt when he was asked who should win the Ballon d'Or and it's neither Ousmane Dembele, nor Lamine Yamal.

After scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists in 53 games for PSG last season, Dembele is widely seen as the favourite for the prestigious individual award.

Luis Enrique's side convincingly won a treble, before they fell short in the FIFA Club World Cup final to a Cole Palmer-inspired Chelsea.

Dembele's biggest rival for the award is expected to be the 18-year-old Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal.

The Barcelona forward ended the campaign with 18 goals and 25 assists as the Catalans won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

But Hansi Flick's men fell short in Europe, losing a thrilling Champions League semi-final to Inter Milan.

Despite both players enjoying hugely successful seasons, Mourinho does not believe either deserve to win the Ballon d'Or.

Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal are the frontrunners for the award. (Image: Jean Catuffe / Contributor via Getty)

In an interview with Canal 11, the Portuguese manager said he believed that the award must be given to a player who won the Champions League, ruling Yamal out of contention.

Mourinho said: "Football, as much as we all want to make players special people, coaches special people, for me, it remains about the team.

"And for me, any individual trophy must always have a direct connection to titles."

But instead of backing Dembele for the award, he believes either Nuno Mendes or Vitinha deserve to win it.

He said: "I love them both; I can't tell the difference.

"The only thing I'd say is that there's still a small group of good midfielders there, and now full-backs like that

"I'd like one of them to win, obviously, but then Jorge Mendes will get mad at me because he only thinks Yamal, his player, should win."

Vitinha and Nuno Mendes were integral to PSG's treble-winning season. (Image: Melinda Meijer/ISI Photos / Contributor via Getty)

The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs manager is currently managing Turkish club Fenerbahçe.

Last season, they finished second in the Turkish Super Lig, but were 11 points behind arch-rivals Galatasaray.

But that did not stop the 62-year-old making the headlines, including a red card during his side's 1-1 draw with United in the Europa League.

This year's Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled for 22nd September in Paris.

It is a month earlier than last year, when Manchester City's Rodri beat Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr to claim the prize.

Although Dembele and Yamal are the two frontrunners for the honour, both of Portugal's PSG stars could yet upset the odds.