Paris Saint-Germain stars Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are backing one another to claim the prestigious 2026 Ballon d'Or award. As key figures in European football, both French and European champions find themselves among the 10 shortlisted players from the French club for the individual prize, which will be presented at a ceremony in London on October 26.
Mutual Respect and Shared Ambitions in Paris
Despite competing for the same individual honour, the Paris Saint-Germain team-mates have shown incredible solidarity. Speaking exclusively to the media, French forward Dembele joked that they could simply cut the trophy in two, while insisting that the Georgian winger deserves the accolade following an exceptional season. In return, Kvaratskhelia praised Dembele's remarkable performances on the right wing that helped drive the club's success.
Key Statistics and Stellar Seasons
The stellar campaigns of both players highlight their immense value to Paris Saint-Germain in world football:
- Ousmane Dembele: Recorded a combined 31 goals and assists last season, averaging 1.27 goal contributions per 90 minutes.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: Named the Champions League's best player of last season, contributing 10 goals and six assists in the tournament.
- Club Dominance: PSG have secured 10 trophies out of a possible 12 since Kvaratskhelia's arrival from Napoli in January 2025 for 59 million pounds.
The Race for the Ultimate Prize
While the PSG duo remain strong contenders, the competition for the Ballon d'Or remains fierce. Other prominent names in the race include Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who netted a club-record 61 goals last season, alongside Barcelona talents Lamine Yamal and Rodri, as well as Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.
The winner of the 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or will be officially announced at the upcoming ceremony in London on October 26.
Photo : Bryan Berlin — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
