Eye on the prize: Dembele rejoices in Ballon d’Or glory

PARIS :One moment defined Paris St Germain's first Champions League triumph amidst the noise of Munich’s Allianz Arena, - Ousmane Dembele's eyes fixed on Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

The French forward’s stare was more than intimidation, it was the symbol of a player transformed.

That image, Dembele glaring at Sommer before another hurried clearance, summed up the determination that helped produce a 5-0 rout and delivered PSG’s long-awaited European triumph.

It followed an individual campaign by Dembele that put the 28-year-old among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or and he picked up the coveted award at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.

Since his 2023 arrival from Barcelona, Dembele has been reimagined under Luis Enrique, evolving from a mercurial winger into a complete forward. The Spanish coach gradually pushed the Frenchman into central positions and gave him licence to roam.

“The coach gives me a lot of freedom on the pitch,” Dembele said. “I’m not forced to remain at the point of the attack like a number nine. I just try to create space and to cause a bit of chaos in midfield.”

Luis Enrique’s assessment was emphatic after Dembele struck back-to-back hat-tricks last season.

“Ousmane can become the player he wants to be,” he said. “If he remains confident in front of goal, he has no equal. He can score in any position, even with his head. He’s a phenomenal player.”

That freedom has translated into the most productive campaign of Dembele's career.

He finished the 2024-25 season with 35 goals and 14 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions with the capital club, including 21 Ligue 1 goals to finish top scorer. He provided two assists in the Champions League final alone.

Beyond goals, his defensive work has been