Paris Saint-Germain teammates Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have openly backed each other as favorites for the upcoming Ballon d’Or, with Dembélé declaring the Georgia international to be “the best player in the world” during a joint interview for Ligue 1+.
The exchange between the two Paris Saint-Germain stars highlights an intriguing internal dynamic within the club as the race for football’s most prestigious individual award heats up. While neither player currently occupies the top spot with major bookmakers, their public mutual admiration underscores the strong chemistry developing on the pitch in the French capital.
Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia Exchange High Praise on Ligue 1+
Sitting down for a joint feature with Ligue 1+, both players were asked to assess the landscape for the next Ballon d’Or. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia initiated the praise, pointing to his French teammate’s leadership and overall influence on the pitch. According to Kvaratskhelia, the way Ousmane Dembélé plays, helps, and directs the squad is vital for Paris Saint-Germain, adding that the team is thrilled to have him in the locker room.
Dembélé quickly returned the compliment, leaving no ambiguity about his assessment of the winger’s campaign. The French forward stated that he would be thrilled to see his teammate lift the trophy because the season he put together was truly exceptional. Dembélé explicitly called Kvaratskhelia the best player in the world, arguing that those performances make him fully deserving of the honor.
For Dembélé, the conversation carries a distinct perspective. The French attacker previously won the Ballon d’Or in 2025 and remains listed among the nominees for the current cycle.
Where the Betting Markets Stand
Despite the strong endorsement from inside the Paris Saint-Germain dressing room, bookmakers view both players as outsiders in the wider race for the trophy. According to current betting markets, Harry Kane stands as the heavy favorite to claim the accolade. Lamine Yamal occupies the second position in the odds, while Kylian Mbappé rounds out the top three candidates.
While external oddsmakers look elsewhere for their frontrunners, the public backing from reigning winners and teammates like Dembélé adds significant narrative weight to Kvaratskhelia’s profile this season.
What Comes Next in the Ballon d’Or Race
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