Ballon d'Or Contenders: Dembélé, Doué, and Rice in the Spotlight

Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Declan Rice are emerging as potential contenders for the Ballon d'Or, provided they secure victories in both the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup.

"It hasn't changed how I play or who I am."

Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, made this statement before the final. He elaborated on his mindset since joining Paris Saint-Germain.

"I think I just have more responsibility on my shoulders since I came to PSG," Dembélé said. "Nothing changed with my winning appetite, though, I still want to wear silverware with our team."

The French forward emphasized that individual accolades remain secondary to the team’s success. He stressed that winning with PSG is his primary focus, reinforcing that collective glory outweighs personal recognition.