Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has tipped Ousmane Dembele to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
Dembele registered an assist in the Champions League final on Saturday night as PSG hammered Inter Milan 5-0 to win their first European title in Munich.
The 28-year-old France international scored 25 goals this season and was the club’s most potent attacker as they finally secured the Champions League title and, with it, an historic treble.
Dembele himself was asked on the eve of the final whether victory over Inter would improve his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time, but he was reticent to answer.
“When you are a PSG player, the important thing is to take home the trophy for the team,” he said on Friday evening. “Obviously this [the Ballon d’Or] is maybe in the back of my mind, but it’s not what I’m thinking about most.”
Enrique was asked, after the final, who he thinks deserves to win the award, presented by France Football every year.
“I would give the Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembele,” Enrique replied. “He defended, he attacked. The pressing was so good.
“I think without a shadow of a doubt it should go to him. I think he was exceptional in this final.
“Dembele was incredible. He didn’t give them [the defence] room to breathe. This game is one where we were in cruise control. It was a great game.”
