Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly decided to focus its campaign for the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, despite having a record number of players on the men’s shortlist.
French reports citing Le Parisien say the club intends to give greater promotional support to the two forwards as voting for the award progresses.
PSG has not publicly confirmed that it has reduced its campaign to two players. The development should therefore be presented as a reported strategy rather than an official club announcement.
The claim that PSG has 10 players nominated for the men’s award is inaccurate. The club has nine players among the 30 nominees, which PSG describes as a new Ballon d’Or record.
Dembélé is the defending winner, while Kvaratskhelia strengthened his case after playing a central role in PSG’s successful 2025–26 Champions League campaign.
Dembélé seeking a second consecutive award
Dembélé won the 2025 Ballon d’Or after helping PSG secure its first Champions League title and complete a domestic treble.
The France international scored 35 goals across competitions during that campaign and was also named FIFA’s men’s player of the year. His performances established him as one of the leading figures in PSG’s attack and earned him the first Ballon d’Or of his career.
He is now attempting to retain the award, although the 2026 contest includes several players with strong individual and international records.
Dembélé has suggested that the award could remain at PSG but has avoided presenting himself as the club’s only serious candidate. His position as the reigning winner nevertheless gives PSG an established name around which to build its campaign.
Kvaratskhelia’s Champions League influence
Kvaratskhelia’s candidacy is supported by his performances during PSG’s second consecutive Champions League-winning season.
The Georgia international was named the competition’s Player of the Season after scoring 10 goals and providing six assists. He was influential throughout the knockout rounds and converted a decisive penalty as PSG defeated Arsenal in a shootout following a 1–1 draw in the final.
Five PSG players were selected in the Champions League Team of the Season, including Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé.
The Georgian forward has now received his third Ballon d’Or nomination. His latest recognition reflects a season in which his individual output was matched by success at the highest level of European club football.
PSG has nine players on the shortlist
PSG’s large presence on the shortlist reflects the club’s recent success but also creates a potential problem. Support for several candidates from the same team can divide attention among voters.
The club’s nine nominees include players recognised for their contributions across attack, midfield and defence. However, reports suggest PSG believes Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia currently have the strongest individual cases.
Concentrating the campaign on two players could allow the club to present a clearer message, although promotional support does not guarantee votes. The final decision rests with the journalists who take part in the Ballon d’Or voting process.
The official Ballon d’Or website lists both Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia among the 30 nominees for the men’s award.
Competition remains open
Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia face competition from Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and several other prominent nominees.
Kane enters the contest after an exceptional scoring season for Bayern Munich and England. Mbappé has highlighted his individual record despite ending the campaign without a major club or international trophy, while Yamal’s performances for Barcelona and World Cup-winning Spain have also strengthened his position.
The range of serious contenders means PSG’s reported decision should not be interpreted as evidence that either of its chosen players is the favourite.
The winner will be announced at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October.
