Dembele stuns by omitting himself from Ballon d'Or top three, predicts PSG star will take crown

Ousmane Dembele, the reigning World Player of the Year, has stirred up the football world by revealing his top three for the 2026 Ballon d'Or: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe. In an interview with Goal.com, Dembele excluded himself from the list and predicted that a PSG player would ultimately win. He praised Kvaratskhelia's speed and pressing, Kane's clinical finishing, and Mbappe's versatility. Dembele also singled out Michael Olise as the Bundesliga's best player and acknowledged Willian Pacho's performances. The decision not to vote for himself signals an attempt to maintain impartiality. However, his PSG-centric prediction adds pressure on Mbappe, who already calls himself the world's best and has faced criticism from a French legend. While the lack of data undermines the objectivity of the choice, Dembele's remarks create a wave of debate ahead of the ceremony. Whether PSG dominance materializes remains to be seen, but the statement has already shifted the narrative around the award.