Olympique de Marseille forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has voiced his support for Ousmane Dembélé to secure the 2026 Ballon d’Or, championing his former teammate to continue his reign as the world’s best player. The Gabonese veteran cited their long-standing personal connection—which blossomed during their shared tenure at Borussia Dortmund—as a key reason for his endorsement.
During a recent interactive session on the DAZN platform, Aubameyang was asked for his perspective on which athlete would claim the next golden trophy. The 36-year-old admitted that personal bias played a role in his selection, but he emphasized that his loyalty stems from a deep professional respect for the Paris Saint-Germain star.
“I don’t know (who will lift the next Ballon d’Or), but I would say Dembele because he is my friend.”
The endorsement carries significant weight given Aubameyang’s extensive career playing alongside some of the modern era’s most decorated talents. When pressed to identify the most gifted individual he has ever shared a pitch with, the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker bypassed several world-class peers to name the Frenchman as the pinnacle of his experience.
“I played with a lot of good players, but I would say Dembele.”
Dembélé enters the 2026 conversation as the current incumbent, having been awarded the 2025 Ballon d’Or following a historic quadruple-winning season with Paris Saint-Germain. His victory last September saw him edge out rising sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, marking the first time a PSG player has won the award while representing the French club. As the footballing world looks toward the next ceremony, Aubameyang’s comments highlight the high esteem in which the 28-year-old is held by his contemporaries within the game.
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