Ballon d’Or 2026: Ousmane Dembélé names his podium

The reigning winner won’t vote for himself and reveals the three players on his Ballon d’Or podium

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Ballon d’Or 2026: Ousmane Dembélé names his podium

With only a few weeks to go before the 2026 Ballon d’Or verdict, Ousmane Dembélé has revealed his preferences while deliberately excluding himself.

Ousmane Dembélé does not see himself voting for his own name. Asked by France Football to choose his podium if he had a ballot for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, the 2025 winner preferred to highlight some of his main rivals.

“Kvara,” he replied first, before adding: “I would put Harry Kane, who had a very, very good season. And Mbappé as well.” When it was suggested that he include himself in the top three, the Frenchman immediately refused: “No, if I’m the one speaking, I don’t put myself in there. I don’t vote for myself.”

Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappé make his podium

Dembélé’s personal trio is therefore made up of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, with no particular order given. The French forward nevertheless believes several other players have also produced seasons worthy of recognition.

He also mentioned Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal and Fabian Ruiz, while giving special praise to Willian Pacho: “Pacho! People forget about him. I hope they don’t forget him this year.” He then added: “He deserves it.”

Five leading favourites before the winner is revealed

At this stage, five names stand out as the main favourites for the award: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. So despite refusing to vote for himself, Dembélé remains firmly in the race to retain the trophy he won in 2025.

The suspense will end on October 26, 2026, when the Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place and the winner will officially be announced. Until then, the debate around the five leading contenders is set to intensify.