Ousmane Dembélé’s resurgence has now been given a glossy stamp of approval. The French winger, whose career has been defined by dazzling highs and frustrating interruptions, graces the latest cover of FourFourTwo, the English monthly that bills itself as the world’s best-selling football magazine.
For Dembélé, the moment feels symbolic. Once regarded as one of the brightest young forwards in Europe, his trajectory was repeatedly slowed by injuries and inconsistency. But recent seasons have brought a steadier, sharper version of the 27-year-old—one who is finally stringing together the kind of performances that hint at his full potential. The editors at FourFourTwo have gone further still, naming him their frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual honor.
It’s an audacious choice, considering the depth of competition. The Ballon d’Or conversation has long been dominated by the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and most recently Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. By elevating Dembélé into that conversation, FourFourTwo is recognizing both the winger’s electric recent form and his ability to decide games in ways few others can. His blend of pace, trickery, and vision has been a defining feature for club and country, particularly as France aims to reassert itself ahead of another international tournament cycle.
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Of course, magazine covers and bold predictions do not guarantee silverware or golden trophies. Dembélé has more to prove if he is to outpace the statistical monsters of world football. But his placement on the cover—and the endorsement that comes with it—signals a shift in perception: Ousmane is no longer being discussed as merely a talent who “might” deliver, but as a player who could claim the game’s highest prize.
For a footballer whose career has been shadowed by what-ifs, this recognition feels like a turning point. The cover of FourFourTwo is not the Ballon d’Or itself, but it is a clear statement: Dembélé’s time in the spotlight may have only just begun.
