Laurent Blanc says Ballon d'Or 'bothers me a little' as he backs Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele to win award
Updated 25/06/2025 at 18:50 GMT+1
Former Paris Saint-Germain and France head coach Laurent Blanc says awarding the Ballon d'Or to an individual footballer "bothers" him, despite hoping Ousmane Dembele can succeed the last French winner, Karim Benzema, to win this year's trophy. Blanc, who now coaches Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, says the PSG forward meets all the criteria to claim the award.
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Laurent Blanc has said that having the Ballon d’Or awarded to the best individual performance by a footballer each year "bothers me a little", although he certainly does have a strong opinion over who should win the award in 2025.
Speaking to Le Parisien, the former Paris Saint-Germain and France head coach, now presiding over A Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, believes Ousmane Dembele will be a worthy winner of the 2025 title.
While Blanc pointed out that the Ballon d’Or can often provide a surprise winner, he said the 28-year-old France and PSG forward fits the criteria of the victor.
"He’s had a great season, he’s won everything," Blanc said.
"He meets all the criteria to be in the race. After that, there are often surprises, where the winner isn’t the one you expect."
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Blanc's playing career took in a number of leading clubs, including Barcelona, Internazionale and Manchester United.
The 59-year-old won the league and cup double in the Saudi Pro League in his first season with Al Ittihad, subsequently being named best coach of the season.
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Laurent Blanc
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Blanc says he does not necessarily agree on the idea of awards for star players in a team sport.
"Honestly, for me, this award is an individual distinction, and that bothers me a little," he said.
But he was willing to put his concerns aside for patriotism, hoping that Dembele may succeed the last French winner, Karim Benzema in 2022.
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"I don’t know him [Dembele] personally, but I hope Ousmane can succeed Karim Benzema."
Dembele helped inspire PSG to the best season in their history. They landed the domestic league and cup double and then memorably added the UEFA Champions League.
PSG won the competition for the first time with a stunning 5-0 win over Internazionale in the final in Munich.
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