Ballon d’Or 2026: Ousmane Dembele shares top 3 picks

Ousmane Dembele has revealed his top three picks for the Ballon d’Or as the ceremony draws closer.

Ousmane Dembele has revealed his top three picks for the Ballon d’Or as the ceremony draws closer.

Dembele named Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as his top three picks for the Ballon d’Or in an interview with France Football.

Dembele refused to vote for or include himself in the running despite winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or following a 35-goal, 16-assist season with PSG.

“Me? Oh no, I never put myself in such matters,” he said.

“I do not vote for myself at all. If I were the one talking, I would not vote for myself. There are also many other players. Michael Olise could be on the list because he had an amazing season and was the best player in the German league, and also Lamine Yamal, Fabian Ruiz, and (William) Pacho.”

“We forget the latter, Pacho. I hope we do not forget him this year because he deserves it,” Dembele added.

In another interview with France Football, Kylian Mbappe showed confidence that he could win as he deserves to win this award, stating, “I have a feeling I can win it this year, so I haven’t distanced myself from that.”

“When you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, you are inevitably linked to these awards. When people meet me in the street, they talk about it. It is a very valuable reward for any player,” he said.

The official 30-player shortlist and category nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or are being revealed today, September 8.

Ousmane Dembele is a French footballer who plays for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.