Ballon d'or: Nasser Al-Khelaïfi puts the pressure on for Ousmane Dembélé | OneFootball

Ousmane Dembélé -Achraf Hakimi

Present at the Champions League draw ceremony on Thursday evening, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi shared his thoughts on the Ballon d'Or.

Nasser Al-Khelaïfi seized the opportunity with Spanish media to send a clear message. For the PSG president, the 2025 Ballon d’Or already has a front-runner, and that man is Ousmane Dembélé. "Ousmane Dembélé as the Ballon d'Or favorite? Yes, absolutely," he declared without hesitation.

Behind the praise, Al-Khelaïfi also dropped a pointed reminder to those casting their votes. "Dembélé is an extraordinary player who truly works for the team, and he's an incredible person as well... I think you all know this, so I hope everyone gives their honest opinion on the matter. He's the favorite and I hope everyone votes honestly..." confided the Qatari executive.

A statement that sounds like a pointed reminder in the face of the Lamine Yamal threat. The Spanish prodigy from Barça enjoys massive popularity in Spain and could sway some voting journalists out of patriotism. Aware of this risk, Al-Khelaïfi insists on objectivity. On September 22, 100 journalists—one from each of the top 100 FIFA countries—will make their choice.