Palmer, Trent & the players with most to prove to Tuchel

Eight issues Chelsea must fix in the transfer window

Madrid must loan out Endrick to make room for Mastantuono

Delap is the exact type of striker Chelsea have been missing

Biggest winners & losers as Lionesses name Euros squad

Editors' Picks

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: This is Dembele's Golden Ball!

Mbappe and Cherki heroics not enough as France lose classic

Transfers LIVE: Man Utd to make final £60m offer for Mbeumo

Guardiola apologises to Yamal as he makes Messi claim

RANKED: Top candidates to replace Ange after Spurs sacking

Vini's struggles go on in bore draw for Ancelotti's Brazil 

Osimhen eyes key future decision as two clubs fight for him

Jamaica told Greenwood decision needs 'acceptance from nation'

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Deschamps wants Dembele to win Ballon d'Or award</li><li>Frenchman was PSG's top scorer in the 2024-25 season</li><li>Was instrumental in Les Parisiens' quadruple achievement</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Ousmane Dembele 'clearly deserves' to win Ballon d'Or ahead of Lamine Yamal as France boss Didier Deschamps pledges support in PSG star's bid to win top prize

UEFA Nations League A

Germany

France

FIFA Club World Cup

Paris Saint-Germain

Atletico Madrid

<p>The France boss has become the latest individual to back <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ballon-dor-2025-power-rankings/bltd009fae5576d751f" target="_blank">Dembele to lift this year's Ballon d'Or ahead of Lamine Yamal</a>, although he did acknowledge that failure to win either the Nations League or the Club World Cup later this month could affect the Paris Saint-Germain superstar's chances.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Dembele has been in rip-roaring form in 2025, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/luis-enrique-paris-saint-germain-champions-league-dream-kylian-mbappe-ousmane-dembele/blt90c713188a6a3bf3" target="_blank">thanks to a smart tweak made by his PSG head coach Luis Enrique</a>. After Les Parisiens struggled in the early stages of the Champions League campaign, the ex-Barcelona and Spain boss opted to field Dembele in a false nine role. The move has paid off handsomely as Dembele ended the season with 33 goals and 15 assists, in addition to being <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ousmane-dembele-named-champions-league-player-of-the-season-psg-dominate-best-xi-lamine-yamal-one-arsenal-player-make-cut/blt3b75413e78eccb73" target="_blank">named the Champions League Player of the Season</a>. The tweak also allowed PSG to complete an unprecedented quadruple as they finally won their maiden European title.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of France's Nations League semi-final against Spain, Deschamps said: "Of course I support Dembele, and of course the Nations League or the Club World Cup can influence that. Of course, if you ask a Spaniard, they won't tell you the same thing. It's clear that Dembele is the one who deserves [the Ballon d'Or]."</p>

WHAT DIDIER DESCHAMPS SAID

<p>The 28-year-old will be expected to carry his rich vein of form into national colours, as Les Bleus will lock horns with Spain on Thursday. He will then travel to the United States with PSG for the revamped Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR OUSMANE DEMBELE?

Ousmane Dembele 'clearly deserves' to win Ballon d'Or ahead of Lamine Yamal as France boss Didier Deschamps pledges support in PSG star's bid to win top prize | Goal.com

France head coach Didier Deschamps has rallied behind Ousmane Dembele and believes that the forward deserves to win this year&apos;s Ballon d&apos;Or.

Ousmane Dembele &apos;clearly deserves&apos; to win Ballon d&apos;Or ahead of Lamine Yamal as France boss Didier Deschamps pledges support in PSG star&apos;s bid to win top prize

Next matches