Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé has left himself out of his top three contenders for this year’s award, despite being among the players expected to challenge for the prize again.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward revealed his picks in an interview with French sports newspaper L’Équipe ahead of the announcement of the 30 nominees on Tuesday, September 8.
After winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Dembele is reportedly in the running for the prestigious Men’s Player of the Year Award.
However, he named PSG teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane, and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé among his leading contenders, while refusing to include himself on his shortlist.
“I never get into stuff like that. If I’m the one who speaks, I don’t vote for me,” Dembele said and added that he believed the award should remain at PSG. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
Dembele has played two games thus far in the 2026/2027 season and is yet to register a goal or assist.
