PSG Coach Luis Enrique Reveals His Preferred Candidate for the Ballon d’Or
PSG coach Luis Enrique has revealed his preferred candidate for the 2024/2025 Ballon d’Or. Speaking at a press conference after winning the UEFA Champions League final, Enrique stated that his choice for the prestigious award is none other than PSG winger- turned- striker Ousmane Dembélé.
His statement was also reported by sports journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X page.
Enrique said:
“I’d give the Ballon d’Or to Mr. Ousmane Dembélé.
The way he defended tonight… only that can be worth the Ballon d’Or. This is how you lead a team. Goals, titles, leadership, defending, how he was pressing…
Ousmane is my Ballon d’Or. No doubts at all.”
While the official list of Ballon d’Or candidates is not out yet, according to Score90 and several bookmakers, Dembélé is a strong favorite alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
Dembélé has been absolutely phenomenal this season, scoring 33 goals and providing 13 assists in 49 matches. This includes 8 goals and 6 assists in 15 Champions League appearances.
Recall that Dembélé may have ended Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or hopes after his goal and a crucial penalty against Liverpool knocked them out in the Round of 16. Salah, who was at the top of the rankings at the time, dropped significantly afterward.
Dembélé is currently the number one predicted candidate for the Ballon d’Or. However, predictions don’t always become reality—after all, Vinícius Júnior was the projected favorite last year, but Rodri ended up winning it.
Still, Dembélé is on a generational run and in the form of his life. It would almost be criminal not to give him a free run at the Ballon d’Or.
Let’s not forget that he also provided two assists in PSG’s emphatic 5–0 win over Inter Milan in the UCL final.
And while Luis Enrique’s words may reflect a coach’s praise for his player, his assertion may not be far from the truth.
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