During a pre-match press conference ahead of France`s game against Germany, France captain Kylian Mbappé (26) was asked about his preferred candidate for the Ballon d`Or award. He identified two prominent contenders, Lamine Yamal (19) and Ousmane Dembélé (28), but ultimately declared his support for his international and former PSG teammate to win the prestigious France Football honour.
Although Mbappé himself has long been seen as destined to win the award, it now appears his fellow Frenchman, Dembélé, is the likely frontrunner following his impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped secure the treble and the club`s first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Dembélé is currently considered the favourite to receive the award.
Ousmane Dembélé will be unavailable for France`s third-place play-off match against Germany on Sunday afternoon. The attacker has been ruled out due to a quadriceps injury which is also expected to sideline him for PSG’s initial two matches in the FIFA Club World Cup.
When directly questioned about who should win the Ballon d`Or, Mbappé responded, “Are we talking about Yamal and Ousmane? Then, I back Ousmane!”
