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PSG star Dembele focused on Champions League crown, not Ballon d'Or hopes
Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele could be in contention for the Ballon d'Or, but his primary target is the Champions League trophy.
Ousmane Dembele says his full focus is on guiding Paris Saint-Germain to the Champions League crown, rather than any individual success with a potential Ballon d'Or award.
The France international will look to inspire his side to their first trophy in the competition when they meet Inter on Saturday in Munich.
Dembele has been directly involved in 12 Champions League goals this season (eight goals, four assists), the most ever by a PSG player in one campaign.
Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2013-14 (10) has scored more for PSG in a single campaign in UEFA's top competition, and securing the coveted prize has many suggesting Dembele would then win the Ballon d'Or.
The former Barcelona forward is uninterested in those claims, however.
"When you are a PSG player, what's important is to take home the silverware, such as the Champions League," he said at his pre-match press conference.
"I am focused on the team, not individual trophies. It [Ballon d'Or] is in the back of my mind, but I want to focus on the team."
Dembele has 30 goals in all competitions this term, including a run of 24 in 18 games from December to March.
The 28-year-old's impact has helped fill the void left by the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid last summer, along with previous exits for superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Dembele has also created 35 chances in this season's Champions League, the most by a French player since Jerome Rothen in 2003-04 (45).
His attacking nous will be key to unlocking an Inter side that has trailed for just 1.2% of their Champions League matches this season, falling behind in three games but never for more than 370 seconds in any.
"Since January, we have really had a change of mindset, and we want to continue now and get the victory, and we are very excited about the game," Dembele added.
"Inter is a wonderful team that deserves to be in the final. They are physical, know how to defend, how to get up front, so we have a strong opponent."
PSG have both won their most games (10) and scored their most goals (33) in a single major European campaign this term.
However, an elusive first Champions League title is the only crowning moment that can cap a fine campaign, and fulfil Dembele's lifelong ambitions.
"I've prepared well for this final. Since I was a kid, I've been dreaming of playing in this game," he added.
"We have to remain concentrated on the game, on the team, on myself. I hope we'll be able to produce a fantastic performance."