Ousmane Dembele shares his top three Ballon d'Or picks with only one PSG player making the cut
Ousmane Dembele has named Paris Saint-Germain teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in his top three picks for the Ballon d'Or.
The 29-year-old forward won the 2025 Ballon d'Or after an outstanding 2024-25 season in which he notched 35 goals and 16 assists in all competitions for European champions PSG.
Dembele, who also picked up several individual awards - including the Ligue 1 Player of the Season and Champions League Player of the Season - is unlikely to reclaim his crown this time around.
READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe called 'childish' and 'pathetic' after controversial Ballon d'Or comments
Ousmane Dembele shares his top three Ballon d'Or picks
Before the nominees were revealed on Tuesday, Dembele was asked to name his top three players as he spoke to France Football, the organisers of the Ballon d'Or.
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He said: "Kvara, and Harry Kane who had a very, very good season, and I think Kylian Mbappe."
Mbappe has been criticised by some for his take on this year's Ballon d'Or race. Speaking ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash against Inter Milan, the Frenchman was in confident spirits.
"I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this award [the Ballon d'Or]," he said.
"There are many people that speak about me and the Ballon d'Or. Of course I've made history in the most important competition. Maybe it's a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think."
In a separate interview with France Football, Mbappe said: "I have a feeling I can win it this year, so I haven't distanced myself from that."
Ousmane Dembele mentions player who "deserves" to be in Ballon d'Or contention - "We forget the latter"
Dembele, on the other hand, talked up Paris Saint-Germain's efforts instead of concentrating on his own personal achievements. He also reserved praise for PSG teammate William Pacho.
"Me? Oh no, I never put myself in such matters," he said.
"I do not vote for myself at all. If I were the one talking, I would not vote for myself. There are also many other players, Michael Olise could be on the list because he had an amazing season and was the best player in the German league, and also Lamine Yamal, and Fabian Ruiz, and (William) Pacho."
READ MORE: Harry Kane contract update revealed as surprise club hold 'talks' with Bayern Munich star
"We forget the latter, Pacho," added Dembele. "I hope we do not forget him this year because he deserves it."
Topics: Ousmane Dembele, Ballon d'Or
Jack Kenmare