Dembele Eyes Second Ballon d'Or After PSG's UCL Glory

You choose a favorite club in your teenage years, and there's no going back. If you are an Arsenal fan, the last few weeks might have been a rollercoaster ride for you. From ending a 22-year drought to almost winning the Champions League, the season was relatively good. Conversely, PSG is in their golden era. Back-to-back UCL titles, Ligue 1 ones, and players putting their 100% on the ground. They're becoming something stronger than expected.

It was a match between the strongest defenders versus the strongest attackers. And somehow, attackers won it by a 4-3 margin on penalties. From Vitinha to Hakimi, every player gave their best and showed the world what they are capable of. Amidst all the players, Ousmane Dembele was the key highlight. Whether you talk about his playmaking abilities or his equalizer penalty, he was great.

From being an injured player with unfulfilled potential to winning the Champions League twice, Dembele has come a long way. The 29-year-old is already sitting with a Ballon d'Or on his mantelpiece. And this victory gives him a real chance to become the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017-18 to win consecutive Golden Balls.

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What Happened in the Champions League Final

The match started with a roar from Arsenal fans, who were outnumbering the PSG supporters. It was a perfect start at Puskas Arena. Within the first six minutes, a Marquinhos clearance deflected off Trossard. As a result, Kai Havertz scored the first goal down the left flank. For a moment, it felt like Arsenal would finally be crowned "Champions of Europe."

However, PSG are no ordinary team. They played with a strategy of keeping the ball with themselves as long as possible. The first half finished with Arsenal leading 1-0. Fans were happy and hoping for more goals. But PSG's quickfire, precise, and smooth passes were dominating the whole game.

At the 65th minute, Arsenal's Cristhian Mosquera fouled PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the box. A VAR check confirmed the penalty. Ousmane Dembele stepped up and sent goalkeeper Raya the wrong way to equalize. 1-1. A goal that was reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo's 2017 final for Real Madrid, where he netted back-to-back UCL deciders.

Both teams played an extra 30 minutes and went without a breakthrough. When the shootout arrived, PSG were ice-cold. Gonçalo Ramos, Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi, and Lucas Beraldo all converted. Arsenal's David Raya pulled off one stunning save but it wasn't enough — Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães missed, and PSG became Champions of Europe again. The feat is no small thing, since no team except Real Madrid has done it since 2018.

With only 11 days to go until the FIFA World Cup, this victory means a lot to French fans. Especially when you see how Dembele was sidelined for weeks because of hamstring and calf issues. Though he was substituted late in the second half due to severe cramps, he had already done his job. After delivering match-winning performances against Liverpool and Bayern, it was time to rest.

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Why Dembele Deserves to Be in the Conversation

Critics may argue why Dembele is even part of the discussion. But they must remember that Dembele is currently the Ballon d'Or winner and might even defend it. The Champions League has always been the most decisive factor in Ballon d'Or voting. In 2024-25, he was involved in 46 goals across all competitions. 33 goals and 13 assists in a season is no joke. Besides, he brought home Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Super Cup. Moreover, his Golden Ball in October 2025 made him only the second PSG player after Lionel Messi to ever win the award.

The 2025-26 season was difficult for him. Despite injuries, he scored 19 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. But we can't ignore the context here. He delivered when it mattered the most. Now, he has five major trophies in 13 months — the UCL title, Ligue 1, Trophée des Champions, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup. And with France heading into the 2026 World Cup as serious contenders, Dembele has another feat to achieve.

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Who Else Is in the Race?

Football is evolving, and you can never predict who will be the next Ballon d'Or winner. It's a highly competitive contest, and the World Cup will also play a critical role. Harry Kane had an amazing season. The Bayern Munich striker scored 48 goals in 55 appearances, including 13 in the UCL alone. Although Paris eliminated Munich in the semi-finals, Kane's performance at the World Cup will be a delight to watch.

FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal could be the most exciting Spaniard in world football right now. The teenager netted 24 goals and 18 assists in all competitions before a hamstring injury. However, Barcelona's early exit dented his chances. But if he returns fit for Spain and delivers some exceptional performances, he could turn things around.

Declan Rice is another name on this list. The Arsenal midfielder was a vital factor in bringing the Premier League title home after 22 long years. While his Champions League final defeat will hurt his chances, he has a chance of redemption at the World Cup.

Last but not least, Michael Olise is the season's biggest revelation. The Bayern Munich attacking midfielder is like poetry in motion. With over 40 goal involvements, the French star was sensational throughout the season — especially his performance against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals. As a key figure in the French side, his World Cup could prove decisive.