Ousmane Dembélé Responds to Ballon d’Or Criticism: ‘I Don’t Care’

Ousmane Dembélé says he doesn't care about the criticism that's come his way since winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or, and he insists the extra pressure that comes with the award doesn't bother him at all.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward opened up about life since the win in an interview with France Football, and told RMC Sport this week that being the reigning Ballon d'Or holder has made people watch him more closely than ever. 

"I don't care about being criticised, it's part of the game," he said. "You will always be criticised in football, and it increases when you are the holder of the Ballon d'Or."

Dembélé had a strong 2025-2026 season, playing 40 games in all competitions for PSG and racking up 20 goals and 11 assists. He admits winning the award means he now has to perform in every single match. 

"You have to be strong all the time," he said. "You have to put in a good performance in every match, otherwise everyone will start talking about you and criticising you. This is funny, but it doesn't change anything, the criticism will always be there."

He also feels he's grown sharper in big moments compared to last season, especially in the Champions League, where he scored in every game from the quarter-final second leg onward. 

"I was clearly better in the decisive moments, and that is important," he said. "Isn't that the number one criterion?" He noted that early injuries meant the coaching staff had managed his workload carefully to keep him fresh for the biggest games.

Even though he's not among the favorites to win the award again this year, Dembélé says that doesn't worry him. 

"This is football," he said. "The Ballon d'Or was never an obsession for me. It was a goal or a dream, yes, but it was never an obsession." He added simply, "I hope the best player wins."

When asked who he would personally vote for, Dembélé didn't hesitate, naming his PSG teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as his top pick. Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé rounded out his top three.

As for voting for himself, Dembélé was clear that he wouldn't. "No, if I were the one choosing, I would not put myself on the list and I would not vote for myself." That's a contrast to Mbappé, who has said he'd vote for himself if given the choice.