Ballon d’Or: Donnarumma clearly reveals his favorite!

After France - Italy, Gianluigi Donnarumma did not hesitate when naming his favorite for the Ballon d’Or

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Ballon d’Or: Donnarumma clearly reveals his favorite!

02.10.26 FT UEFA Nations League A

France

Italy

Impressive against Les Bleus, Gianluigi Donnarumma named Ousmane Dembélé as his favorite for the next Ballon d’Or.

Gianluigi Donnarumma once again delivered a top-level performance against France. After making several important saves in the 1-1 draw between Les Bleus and Italy, the Manchester City goalkeeper was then asked about the Ballon d’Or race.

When it came to naming his favorite, the former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper did not hesitate. “My favorite for the Ballon d’Or? Ousmane Dembélé,” he replied in French after the match.

🇫🇷 France 1-1 Italie 🇮🇹

G. Donnarumma : « On a fait un grand match ! Nous avons montré qu'on était une grande équipe. Pour ce qui est du Ballon d'Or, j'ai mon favori... »#EDS pic.twitter.com/a0Np2nnazn
— L'Équipe du soir (@lequipedusoir) October 2, 2026

Donnarumma votes for Dembélé

The Italian’s choice is not surprising. Donnarumma knows Dembélé perfectly well, having shared a dressing room with him at PSG between 2023 and 2025. The two men were notably key figures in the Paris club’s first Champions League triumph.

Ousmane Dembélé won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, while Donnarumma claimed the Yachine Trophy awarded to the best goalkeeper. The Frenchman is therefore defending his title this year and is once again among the shortlisted candidates.

The 30 nominees are known, and voting is over

The list of the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or was unveiled on September 8. Dembélé is among the candidates to succeed himself, in a particularly strong field this year.

Voting has now been officially closed since September 28. The journalists responsible for selecting the winner have therefore already submitted their rankings, and the result can no longer be influenced by performances recorded after that date.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 26 in London. The 70th edition will be held at the London Palladium, a first for the award organized by France Football and UEFA.

Donnarumma still close to his former teammate

Even after leaving PSG, the Italian goalkeeper continues to support Dembélé. His choice also carries particular significance, as he had just faced the French forward a few minutes earlier with the Italian national team.

Donnarumma, ninth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, is not among the 30 nominees this year, however. That did not stop him from giving a very clear opinion: in his view, Dembélé deserves to retain his crown.