Ousmane Dembele Expresses Confidence In Ballon D'Or Chances Following PSG's Treble Win

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Ousmane Dembele is optimistic about his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or following a remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain. He is considered a strong contender for the award after contributing significantly to PSG's success in securing the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Champions League titles in the 2024-25 season. Dembele netted 33 goals and provided 13 assists during this period.

Bradley Barcola also made a significant impact at PSG last season. He came off the bench to assist the final goal in their 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Barcola led the team with 18 assists across all competitions, while only Dembele surpassed his goal tally of 21. Additionally, only Dembele and Achraf Hakimi created more chances than Barcola's 82 throughout the season.

Among players from Europe's top five leagues, Dembele's total of 46 goal involvements was only surpassed by Mohamed Salah (57), Raphinha (56), Harry Kane (49), and Kylian Mbappe (48). In the Champions League alone, he contributed to 14 goals, scoring eight and assisting six. This achievement set a new record for PSG players in a single campaign and ranks as the second-highest by a French player in one edition of the competition, following Karim Benzema's 17 contributions in 2021-22.

Despite his individual success, Dembele remains focused on team objectives as PSG competes at the Club World Cup. However, he acknowledges that thoughts of winning the Ballon d'Or have crossed his mind. "I'm thinking about [the Ballon d'Or]," he told DAZN. "I know that, with the season that I have had, I am not far [from the Ballon d'Or], but I am focused on the [team] objectives, before thinking about myself."

Reports have emerged suggesting that Barcola might leave PSG during the transfer window, with clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich showing interest. However, Luis Enrique is keen on retaining him in Paris. "I have no doubt that he'll stay our player," Enrique stated during a press conference. "We like the fact that our players are interesting other clubs. But he's one of those young players that we've been banking on. I expect him to play here for many more years."

The achievements of both Dembele and Barcola highlight their crucial roles in PSG's successful campaign last season. Their performances have not only drawn attention from other clubs but also solidified their positions as key players within their current team.