French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo has added his voice to growing calls for Ousmane Dembélé to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, describing the Paris Saint-Germain winger as the standout performer in world football over the past season.
Dembélé, who has roots in Mali, Senegal and Mauritania, has enjoyed the most prolific year of his career in 2025, scoring 25 goals and playing a central role in PSG’s historic clean sweep of all four major trophies—Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions.
Speaking in an interview with Le Figaro, Diallo did not hold back in his support for the 28-year-old forward.
“He is perhaps the favourite,” said the FFF chief. “Ousmane Dembélé has had an exceptional season.
“I am delighted that we (France) have two players (Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé) who should at least be on the podium, and that Dembélé deserves to win this trophy.”
Support for Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or bid has been mounting since PSG’s Champions League triumph, with manager Luis Enrique and captain Marquinhos both publicly endorsing his candidacy.
Dembélé’s consistency, creativity, and influence in high-stakes matches have made him one of the most admired figures in European football this year.
While Dembélé is widely seen as a frontrunner for the award, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is also expected to be in contention.
The 17-year-old Spanish international remains one of the few players tipped to challenge the PSG star for football’s highest individual honour.
