Former Bayern Munich icon Lothar Matthäus has identified Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain as his top pick for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Matthäus suggests that Dembele’s recent UEFA Champions League victory with PSG gives him a significant edge in the race for the prestigious individual honor.
In his analysis for Sky Sports, the ex-Germany star dismissed the chances of other notable contenders. While acknowledging Rodri’s leadership during Spain’s FIFA World Cup campaign, Matthäus noted that the competition remains wide open due to the collective nature of international success. Furthermore, he expressed doubt regarding Kylian Mbappe, citing the Real Madrid forward’s lack of silverware despite his high scoring record.
Matthäus also highlighted the impressive form of Michael Olise, who has excelled for Bayern Munich with a high assist count, and Harry Kane, who helped secure a domestic double while reaching the World Cup semifinals.
