New Delhi: France head coach Didier Deschamps has backed Ousmane Dembele to win the Ballon d’Or award, ahead of fellow contender Lamine Yamal.
Dembele played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain’s maiden UEFA Champions League triumph with a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan on Saturday.
The French forward was named Champions League player of the season and since the final has been centred around his and Yamal being the two leding contenders for the prestigious award.
“Of course I am for Ousmane, since he is French and with the season he is celebrating,” Deschamps said ahead of France’s UEFA Nations League semi-final with Spain on Thursday.
“Obviously, this Nations League can bring some elements of response, the Club World Cup too. If I have to choose, I tell you Ous, 100%, of course.
“If you ask me about the Spaniards, I don’t think they will tell you the same thing. But obviously, Ousmane, with the season he is having, deserves it.”
Dembele Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Lucas Hernandez, Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard were part of the PSG-Inter final and are expected to play a role in France’s clash against Spain.
“They are here, so I am counting on them. I found them very happy on Monday evening, of course, with a certain fatigue as well,” Deschamps said.
“Then, there were Benjamin and Marcus on the other side. The feelings and emotions were not the same.
“Ideally, when there is a peak like that, of course, you always have to come back down, but now, we need to quickly get back up because the match is close.”
France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe went trophyless in his first season at Real Madrid since leaving PSG but finished as the top scorer in La Liga and remains a key player in Deschamps’ plans.
“You know his season as well as I do. He is now in very good shape and with a much better footballing and physical potential. Nothing changes, Kylian will have a central position,” the 1998 World Cup-winning former footballer said.
Dembele played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain’s maiden UEFA Champions League triumph with a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the final. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
