Gianluigi Donnarumma has named Ousmane Dembele as his preferred candidate for the next Ballon d’Or after starring for Italy against France.
The Manchester City goalkeeper produced an outstanding display in the 1-1 draw, making several important saves to keep Italy level. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award from the editorial team at Foot Mercato.
Donnarumma was asked after the final whistle to identify the player he believes most deserves the prestigious individual prize. His answer surprised some observers, as he selected Dembele, who had been his opponent during the match.
“Who is my favourite for the Ballon d’Or? Ousmane Dembele,” Donnarumma said in French, according to French website Foot Mercato.
The selection underlined the close connection between the two players, who were team-mates at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2025. During that period, they helped the club through a historic era that culminated in Paris Saint-Germain winning the Champions League for the first time.
Donnarumma was one of Paris Saint-Germain’s leading players between 2021 and 2025, with Dembele also becoming a central figure for the club before emerging as one of the prominent contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
