A Favorite in Doubt

On September 22, the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, but one of the main favorites may not be present. Ousmane Dembélé, the PSG forward, is at risk of missing out on the night that could crown him the best player in the world.

The 28-year-old Frenchman had a stunning campaign: 53 matches, 35 goals and 16 assists, winning the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions and the Champions League under Luis Enrique. With such numbers, all signs pointed to his crowning moment in Paris. But an unexpected problem threatens to keep him away.

The Calendar Clash

Unlike Real Madrid, who boycotted the gala in 2024 over voting disagreements, PSG has a scheduling conflict. The French Classique against Olympique de Marseille, originally set for September 21, was postponed due to heavy rain and rescheduled for the exact day of the gala.

The match will be played almost at the same time as the ceremony, making it nearly impossible for the PSG squad to attend. That means the Parisian side, which boasts several nominees in different categories, could be absent from football’s most prestigious night.

Will Dembélé Be There for His Big Night?

The only hope lies in his current condition. Dembélé is injured and won’t feature against Marseille, which could allow him to attend the gala despite his teammates being unavailable.

If he does, it would be a solitary appearance, far from the celebration he might have imagined. The big question is whether the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony will end with Ousmane Dembélé lifting the trophy… or with his seat empty at the Théâtre du Châtelet.