Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has stated his belief that the 2026 Ballon d'Or will be won by a player from the French club. This comes as RMC Sport Football reports the award ceremony will be held in London instead of Paris for the first time in its history.
Why is the Ballon d'Or ceremony being held in London?
According to a report by RMC Sport Football, the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26. This decision breaks with the Parisian tradition, aside from a brief period in Zurich from 2010 to 2015. Organisers justify the move as a tribute to the trophy's first winner, Englishman Stanley Matthews, for the award's 70th anniversary edition.
UEFA, which has co-organised the event with the Amaury Group since 2024, is said to be pushing for greater globalisation of the trophy. This shift could mean host city changes become more frequent in coming years. The award, born from the minds of France Football journalists in 1956, is now a global event co-managed by European football's governing body.
What does Ousmane Dembélé think about the Ballon d'Or favourite?
In an interview to be published in France Football, Ousmane Dembélé shared his view on the race for the individual trophy. The French international, quoted by L'Équipe, stated unequivocally: "I don't think this trophy is undecided. I think it will stay in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player."
When asked to name his top three, Dembélé mentioned, in no particular order, his teammate Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé. He also highlighted the merits of Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho, while firmly refusing to include himself. Paris Saint-Germain, currently leading Ligue 1, can rely on several high-performing players this season, as shown on our dedicated stats page.
Who are Paris Saint-Germain's main candidates for the trophy?
Dembélé's statement highlights several players from the Parisian dressing room. Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, a major signing, has immediately impressed with his attacking creativity. Kylian Mbappé remains a central figure at the club and a perpetual contender for the most prestigious individual distinction.
Fabian Ruiz, with his consistent midfield performances, and Willian Pacho, a defensive cornerstone, complete the list of internal candidates mentioned. Their collective performances are important for Paris Saint-Germain's league position, which you can follow via the standings. External competition remains fierce, with players like Harry Kane, who had a remarkable season, and young prodigy Lamine Yamal.
How is Paris Saint-Germain preparing for the end of the season?
As the Ballon d'Or designation approaches, Paris Saint-Germain must maintain their level in both the league and Champions League. The end of October will be busy, with the London ceremony and decisive fixtures on the schedule. The team will need to navigate this period without losing sight of their sporting objectives.
The current squad composition shows a balanced team capable of competing on multiple fronts. The end of the 2026 season promises to be exciting, with several Parisian players in contention for individual awards. Paris Saint-Germain's next official match is a Ligue 1 fixture scheduled for the weekend of September 12, 2026.
