Dembélé Names Kvaratskhelia His Ballon d'Or Pick

Ousmane Dembélé has made his pick for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, and it is not Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé or Harry Kane. Speaking to Ligue 1+, the holder of the award named his PSG team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the man who deserves to lift it in London.

"I would be absolutely delighted if he won it, because he deserves it. The season he has had was exceptional. For me, he is the best player in the world, and that is why he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or," Dembélé said.

"The way Ousmane plays, helps the team and leads the group is very important for us. His character is incredible. We are very happy to have him in our team," the Georgian said.

Dembélé won the award in 2025 after a season in which PSG took the Ligue 1 title and the UEFA Champions League. The ceremony for the 2026 prize, organised by France Football, takes place on 26 October in London. Yamal, the Barcelona winger who has scored 50 goals since arriving in August 2023, remains among the favourites, alongside Mbappé and Kane.

The exchange of praise comes days after reports that PSG have opened talks to extend Kvaratskhelia's contract to 2030, aiming to raise his wages and settle terms before the Ballon d'Or ceremony. A public endorsement from the reigning winner will do the Georgian's case no harm in a field still seen as wide open.