French-Malian star Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win amazes ex-teammate Olivier Giroud

Lille striker Olivier Giroud has confessed he did not foresee Ousmane Dembele reaching Ballon d’Or heights, despite years of sharing the France national team dressing room.

The veteran forward said Dembele’s transformation at Paris Saint-Germain this season has stunned him and elevated the winger into the game’s elite.

Dembele, who was born in France to Mauritanian, Senegalese and Malian parents, clinched his first Ballon d’Or on Monday after a dazzling campaign with PSG.

The 28-year-old lifted the Ligue 1 title and helped guide his club deep into Europe, producing decisive goals and assists in a year widely viewed as his career’s turning point.

Speaking to L’Équipe, Giroud admitted Dembele’s rise has surpassed his expectations.

“Did I see Ballon d’Or potential in him? It’s hard to say,” the former Chelsea and Arsenal striker reflected. “When I saw him every day for the French national team, no, I didn’t necessarily say to myself, ‘He’s a potential Ballon d’Or winner.’”

Giroud believes Dembele’s award underlines how individual brilliance must coincide with collective success.

“To win a Ballon d’Or, you need talent but also a good season that catapults you to the forefront,” he added.

“He has the talent, but he needed to have the right season, with the right club, and win everything like he did, because the Ballon d’Or always depends largely on the team.”

Dembele’s achievement marks a remarkable turnaround after injury setbacks curtailed earlier spells at Barcelona.

Now, his PSG form has ignited debate about his standing among France’s greatest modern attackers.