Nasser Al-Khelaifi (foto: Getty Images)
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says Ousmane Dembele must win the Ballon d’Or, praising his “magnificent season” and comparing the campaign to that of Real Madrid's Florentino Perez.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has launched a bold campaign for Ousmane Dembele to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, echoing the approach often taken by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Dembele, a key figure in Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 title and European campaign this season, is among the contenders for the prestigious individual award. According to Al-Khelaifi, the French winger’s performances leave no room for doubt.
“If Ousmane Dembele doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, then we have a problem,” Al-Khelaifi told reporters. “Considering the season he had, which was magnificent, there is no doubt he should win this award.”
The Qatari club president continued to underline how much it would mean for PSG as a whole: “He did everything. It is also important for the club that he wins it.”
The comments mirror past efforts by Florentino Perez, who famously campaigned hard for his Real Madrid stars to receive Ballon d’Or recognition, particularly during the eras of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić.
With fierce competition expected from players such as Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Harry Kane, Al-Khelaifi’s public backing of Dembele signals PSG’s intent to influence the narrative ahead of the vote.