OusmaneDembélé has returned to the center of attention for his performance in the 2023-24 season, but the prospect of winning the Bear's Ball again remains uncertain. The French player, who scored twenty goals and provided eleven assists in 40 games, proved to be a key element for Paris Saint‑Germain, especially with the decisive penalty in the final against Arsenal. However, his position in the world prize rankings is still secondary to that of Mbappé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Over the course of the season, Dembélé showed remarkable maturity, avoiding dips in form and maintaining a consistent contribution in both the Champions League and domestic competitions. He was Kvaratskhelia's ideal partner in the Champions League group stage, and successfully integrated Didier Deschamps' forwards into the national team, although the coach often changed his role to prevent his opponents from exploiting his key players. Despite his solidity, his season was not characterized by moments of absolute brilliance, and this kept him in the background compared to the holders of the most prestigious awards.
The World Cup, which he did not win, could have pushed Dembélé towards winning the Ballon d'Or, but the competition was dominated by Mbappé, who received the recognition. Similarly, in the Champions League the MVP award was awarded to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. These results indicate that although Dembélé is a high-level player, the probability of winning the title of best player in the world is small. The French nature of the prize, with the strong presence of national team players, could influence the final decision, but does not guarantee a victory.
Looking ahead, Dembélé will continue to play a crucial role for PSG and the French national team, but his position in the race for the Bear's Ball remains uncertain. The competition remains open, and the player will need to demonstrate further exceptional achievements to increase his chances of winning the prestigious award.