Donnarumma picks Dembele for 2026 Ballon d’Or over Yamal, Mbappe, Kane
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma told L’Équipe that he believes former Paris Saint‑Gemain teammate Ousmane Dembele will win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ahead of contenders Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi. Donnarumma cited their strong relationship and mutual respect from their time together at PSG, noting they have also faced each other on the international stage, most recently in a UEFA Nations League match on Friday night.
He said Dembele is his pick to retain the award he won last year, referring to the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The 2026 prize will be decided later this year, with voting by international journalists. For Nigerian football followers, this endorsement highlights how player opinions can shape award narratives and adds context to the debate over whether emerging African‑linked talents like Yamal or established stars like Mbappe will claim the honor.
Considering Donnarumma’s backing, do you think Dembele deserves another Ballon d’Or, or will rising stars such as Yamal or Mbappe take the prize this year?