Dembélé: 'Only change since my Ballon d'Or is more criticism'

📰 Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembélé says the only real change since winning it is more criticism — and he is not bothered. 📌 Key points 🎙️ Dembélé spoke to L'Équipe about life as a Ballon d'Or winner. 🗯️ He said the biggest change has been "more criticism". 🛡️ He accepted that winning the award does not make a player immune. 😎 But he insisted the criticism does not bother him at all. 🏆 The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is in London on 26 October. 📝 What happened 🎙️ Asked by L'Équipe what had changed most since he won the 2025 Ballon d'Or, the PSG forward replied: "Not much, there's just more criticism." He added that it made him laugh. 🛡️ Asked whether a Ballon d'Or winner should be criticised, he said: "Yes, obviously. It's not because you win that trophy that you're immune." ⚽ "When you're Ballon d'Or, you have to be good in every match. You no longer have the right to make mistakes," he said. He admitted every move is watched far more closely since the award, "but it doesn't bother me". 🇫🇷 Dembélé captained France during the international break in the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappé. 📊 By the numbers • Dembélé's Ballon d'Or: 2025 • 2026 ceremony: 26 October, London • PSG's next game: Le Mans, 10 October 🔭 Why it matters Opinion on Dembélé's form since the award is divided in France and beyond. He says he does not care, but the real answer will have to come on the pitch. PSG face Le Mans in Ligue 1 on 10 October, and the 2026 Ballon d'Or is decided in London on 26 October.