Ceferin Doubts Dembele’s Ballon d’Or, PSG Stars Spark a Global Debate

Ceferin questions Dembele's Ballon d'Or claim

UEFA president Alexander Čeferin, speaking in a roundabout way, cast doubt on Ousmane Dembélé’s right to win the Ballon d’Or this year. The PSG and France forward remains a central figure in a conversation that combines prestige, form, and a bit of national pride. The remark didn’t declare a winner’s fate, but it did inject a healthy dose of skepticism into a prize tradition that loves a dramatic twist.

Dembélé would become the sixth French player to lift the award, following Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema (2022). The mention alone underscores how the Ballon d’Or is as much about national legacy as it is about individual brilliance. The debate, therefore, is not just about a single season’s stats, but about how history weighs in on modern performance.

In an interview with the Portuguese outlet Record, Čeferin said of Nuno Mendes: “The player is exceptional and perhaps the best in the world today, but his position does not always align with the goalscoring role that Ballon d’Or voters traditionally favor.” It was a compliment with a caveat—a reminder that the award’s optics still care about goals, not just influence on low‑block pressing and defensive range.

Čeferin also lauded other Portuguese talents, noting João Neves, Vitinha, and Ruben Dias as part of a wave of quality. He warned against overindulging in lists, choosing instead to highlight the breadth of Portuguese talent as a sign of maturity in a country that has repeatedly punched above its weight in European football.

Beyond the public statements, Čeferin praised Nuno Mendes for his discipline and intelligence as a defender, including his off‑ball battles with forward stars like Mohamed Salah. Mendes’ performances have helped PSG eliminate Liverpool from the Champions League knockout stage and have reinforced his status as a key piece in a squad chasing continental glory.

PSG’s Mendes shines, and the Ballon d’Or discussion grows louder

Mendes continued to impress this season, notably in PSG’s 2‑1 win over Barcelona, where he locked down Lamine Yamal and demonstrated the defensive chops that translate into global attention. His contributions helped Portugal win the Nations League final against Spain in June, underlining that his influence goes beyond club duties. With Mendes turning 23, his trajectory looks increasingly tailored for Ballon d’Or conversation, even as Dimbele’s name dominates headlines.

From PSG’s vantage point, the club placed nine players on the Ballon d’Or shortlist after completing a domestic treble and matching European targets. PSG’s season ended with a Club World Cup triumph in the United States, as they defeated Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid in the knockout rounds, only to fall to Chelsea in the final. The club’s European campaign culminated in a triumph‑heavy ledger that underscored the claim that PSG is building a new era of European dominance.

Turning to Mendes’ numbers, the youngster rose from Sporting’s youth system to PSG on loan in 2021 for €7 million, with PSG exercising a buy option a year later for €40 million. He has since become a mainstay, signing an extension through June 2029. Across more than four seasons, Mendes has appeared 145 times for PSG, scoring 11 goals with 19 assists, and collecting 21 yellow cards with no red cards. Internationally, he has 39 caps for Portugal, with 1 goal and 7 assists, and four bookings. The trophy cabinet reads eight domestic and continental titles with PSG, plus a Nations League title for Portugal and earlier honours with Sporting CP.

In sum, Mendes is a linchpin of PSG’s system, and the Dembele debate is a reminder that football’s biggest individual awards are as much about timing and narrative as raw statistics. The Ballon d’Or picture remains crowded, with layered club achievements feeding into voters’ perceptions and national pride nudging opinions toward a certain storyline.

Punchline time: If the Ballon d’Or were a nightclub, Čeferin just asked the bouncer to check IDs and the guest list at the same time. Punchline two: When the trophy case is this crowded, even a goalkeeper would want a stool to watch the show—and maybe a larger cabinet for the jokes.