As the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches this Monday, September 22, an Ipsos BVA survey reveals a surprising trend. Ousmane Dembélé, the Paris Saint-Germain winger, is favored by 44% of French people as the most deserving candidate for this prestigious trophy. His key role in PSG’s historic Champions League victory has undoubtedly left a strong impression.
Behind him, Kylian Mbappé, a two-time Ballon d’Or finalist, only gathers 21% of the votes, tied with Barcelona’s young prodigy Lamine Yamal. This result highlights the significant impact of PSG’s European conquest on French public opinion. Dembélé embodies the success as the strong figure of a victorious team, favored by 28% as PSG’s most popular player.
This success goes beyond sport. 43% of the French rejoice in this victory, especially in the Île-de-France region, where the figure rises to 63%. More broadly, 83% believe this achievement will have a positive effect on French football overall, and 70% trust PSG’s chances in the upcoming Club World Cup.
Hours before the Ballon d’Or verdict, this survey underlines Ousmane Dembélé’s emergence as the new national darling. Despite a career sometimes seen as uneven, he is now regarded as the face of a collective effort led by coach Luis Enrique, acknowledged by 31% as the main architect of the historic 2025 triumph.