Ousmane Dembele Plays Down Back-to-Back Ballon d’Or Chances After PSG Clinch 2025-26 Ligue 1 Title

Ousmane Dembele has deflected questions about winning consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, insisting collective success matters more than personal accolades, following Paris Saint-Germain‘s Ligue 1 title-clinching victory on Wednesday night.

The 28-year-old winger played a central role in PSG’s 2-0 win over Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis — a result Luis Enrique’s side required to officially confirm another season of domestic dominance. Dembele, who had recently been named Ligue 1 Player of the Season, set up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the opening goal, continuing the form that has made him one of European football’s most influential attackers this campaign.

Speaking to beIN Sports after the final whistle, the French international made clear that PSG’s attention has already shifted to their UEFA Champions League final on May 30th. “Yes, that’s it, we wanted to win here, but above all, we want to prepare for the [Champions League] final on May 30th,” Dembele said. “We needed to play a serious match; we have another one on Sunday, and we’re going to celebrate because it’s official, we’re champions. We’ll let loose a little, but not too much, because we play again in three days. We’ll celebrate a bit and stay focused.”

As the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, Dembele has inevitably attracted speculation about whether he can join the exclusive group of players — which includes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo — to have won football’s most prestigious individual award in back-to-back years. However, the winger was measured in his response when the subject was raised. “Very calm,” he said. “As I said, individual trophies come later, if they come. If they don’t, that’s how it is. The most important thing is the team titles. We won Ligue 1, the Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and on May 30th, we have something great for all PSG fans.”

The Ligue 1 triumph is PSG’s 14th French top-flight title and adds to what has already been a trophy-laden season for the club, having also claimed the Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup. Attention across the football world will now turn to whether they can retain the Champions League crown, with the final scheduled for the end of the month.

Dembele’s comments come amid a broader conversation surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or race, with reports suggesting several contenders — including Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Lamine Yamal — have seen their chances affected following exits from the Champions League. The PSG forward, still only 28, remains among the frontrunners should he feature prominently in the club’s European campaign, though he has given no indication that the prospect weighs on him.

For PSG, the priority is unambiguous. With the Champions League final on the horizon and a domestic title already secured, Dembele’s measured outlook appears to reflect the broader mentality within a squad that has consistently resisted individual distraction throughout the season.