French international football player Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) said that despite not having a personal goal of winning the Ballon d’Or, he could not hold back tears when he spoke about his family after being named the world’s best player on Monday.
The forward became the first Frenchman since Karim Benzema in 2022 to lift the prize after helping PSG claim their maiden Champions League crown last season.
“I didn’t want to cry, but as soon as I started talking about my family, about the people who have been there for me, it came up and I couldn’t hold it back,” Dembélé told Reuters after beating Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal to the prize.
“It was never a personal objective. On an individual level, having a trophy like this is magnificent. But when it happens, of course, you’re happy, you’re delighted.”
Asked whether the accolade was the “people’s Ballon d’Or”, a description once used by Benzema, Dembélé replied, “Benzema is the people’s Ballon d’Or, the first one, and I am the second.”
Dembélé insisted the award also belonged to his club.
“Yes, of course, it’s for the team. For all the people who are fans of me, all the Parisian supporters, the whole club, the staff and the players,” he said.
Recovering from an injury that has sidelined him in recent weeks, the striker said, “It’s better, I’ll be back soon.”
Venezuela has released Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez and prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other S...
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the U.S. is “gradually turning away” from some of its allies and “breaking free from internatio...
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in Tehran and across at least 28 cities in a wave of anti-government demonstrations, now enter...
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to ...
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani a...
Venezuela has released Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez and prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other Spanish citizens, local rights group Foro Penal confirmed on Thursday (9 January).
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in Tehran and across at least 28 cities in a wave of anti-government demonstrations, now entering their twelfth day.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Snow and ice caused travel chaos in northwest Europe on Wednesday, while others were delighted by the snow-covered streets of Paris, venturing out on sledges and skis.
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the U.S. is “gradually turning away” from some of its allies and “breaking free from international rules”.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Venezuela has released Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez and prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other Spanish citizens, local rights group Foro Penal confirmed on Thursday (9 January).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment