Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, has revealed his top three contenders for this year's award, while suggesting the trophy will remain at Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking to France Football, the PSG winger declined to vote for himself but openly backed three standout performers from the past season.
Dembele's preferred candidates are Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe. Kane impressed during his first season at Bayern Munich after joining from Tottenham, delivering a prolific campaign in the Bundesliga. Mbappe, now at Real Madrid, continues to be one of football's most dominant attacking forces, while Kvaratskhelia remains a creative lynchpin for Napoli's sustained challenge in Serie A.
A Crowded Field of Contenders
Beyond his primary three, Dembele acknowledged several other deserving candidates who merit serious consideration. Michael Olise, the Bayern Munich winger, emerged as a breakthrough star with what many view as the Bundesliga's finest individual performance. Lamine Yamal, his PSG teammate and fellow World Player of the Year nominee, continues to develop into one of Europe's most talented wingers. The PSG winger also highlighted Fabian Ruiz and Pacho, cautioning that overlooking defensive excellence would be a disservice to players who anchored their clubs' success.
When asked directly about the award's destination, Dembele expressed confidence that it would return to PSG's ranks. Fresh from capturing the Champions League with the Parisian club, he believes the strength of their collective performances throughout the season makes a PSG winner inevitable. This perspective carries weight given his intimate knowledge of the competition and his own triumph in the previous year's voting.
Mbappe's Bold Claims Spark Debate
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has already publicly declared his intention to win the Ballon d'Or and stated his belief that he is the world's best player. These declarations have drawn sharp criticism, with former France international players labeling his remarks as unprofessional. The tension between Mbappe's confidence and established football figures' reactions underscores how contentious the award voting process remains each season. With multiple elite performers across Europe's top five leagues competing at the highest level, the 2024 Ballon d'Or race promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
