French Football Icon Calls for National Unity Behind Dembélé's Ballon d'Or Bid

Former PSG Captain Mamadou Sakho Calls for French Support for Dembélé's Ballon d'Or Bid France, June 8, 2025 - In a recent interview with RTL, former Paris Saint-Germain captain Mamadou Sakho voiced his strong support for Ousmane Dembélé's candidacy for the Ballon d'Or. Sakho's impassioned plea highlights the debate surrounding Dembélé's recognition within France. "For me, all French people must support Dembélé," Sakho declared. "He had an exceptional season and deserves the award." Sakho's comments come amidst ongoing discussion about Dembélé's place among the world's top footballers. He drew a parallel to the lack of support Franck Ribéry received in his Ballon d'Or campaigns, suggesting a similar pattern of French hesitancy to fully embrace their own players on the international stage. This sentiment underscores a complex dynamic within French football, where national pride and support for homegrown talent are not always consistently demonstrated. Sakho's passionate endorsement of Dembélé adds a significant voice to the conversation, prompting a wider discussion about national pride and the recognition of French players on the global stage. The debate continues as the Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches.