Luis Enrique says Ousmane Dembele ticks the boxes needed to win Ballon d'Or
Dembele has been outstanding during a campaign in which PSG have already won four trophies and Enrique sees no better candidate for the award of world's best player.
IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!#PSGREAL I #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/THMn1tW31U
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 9, 2025
The former Spain and Barcelona manager said: 'To win it you have to score goals and get assists and then bring silverware to their team.
'If there is one player who has done all that it is Ousmane Dembele. He is far and away above other players in my opinion.'
Dembele's strike came between two from Fabian Ruiz as PSG took charge with three goals inside the first 24 minutes. Goncalo Ramos wrapped up the scoring late on.
It was a blistering performance reminiscent of their 5-0 hammering of Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
PSG now have the chance to secure an historic quintuple having also won three domestic trophies as well as their European success.
Enrique said: 'That was always our objective from the onset. It's very difficult to achieve. We're one win away from building history and that's very significant for us and our fans.
'Its my absolute pleasure to have worked in Paris.'
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso admitted defeat was a painful experience but is convinced he has the materials to build a strong side.
The former Real and Liverpool midfielder succeeded Carlo Ancelotti in May at the end of a disappointing domestic season in which the club failed to win a trophy.
Alonso said: 'PSG are playing at a top, top level. We are not the first to have a big defeat against them. It was really tough to play against them.
'It is a painful defeat, we have to admit, that but this will tell us the areas we need to improve.
'It is going to be a challenge but we will face that.'
The game marked a sad end to veteran midfielder Luka Modric's illustrious 13-year career with Real, in which he won 28 trophies.
The Croatian, who came off the bench for the last 26 minutes, is set to join AC Milan before next season.
'He will be remembered as a football icon,' said Alonso. 'He will not be remembered for today's match.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
5 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Don't look back in Angers: Wiebes sprints to stage three win at Tour de France Femmes
Lorena Wiebes is widely known as the best sprinter in women's cycling and the Dutch rider did not disappoint on stage three of the Tour de France Femmes, coming from deep to roar past her rivals and pip Marianne Vos at the finish line in Angers. Wiebes' victory capped a chaotic last few kilometres, with dozens of riders caught up in a heavy crash on a narrow bend. The 2023 Tour winner, Demi Vollering, seen as one of the favourites for general classification this year, went down hard and had to be helped back on her bike by her FDJ-Suez teammates, before gingerly rolling over the finish line to stay in the race. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) was another who looked hurt, although none of the affected riders will lose time in the GC standings as the crash occurred less than five kilometres before the end of the stage. Wiebes had been disappointed to miss out on a potential sprint victory on Sunday after Mavi García's well-judged breakaway, but the European champion made no mistake on Monday as Wiebes bided her time before roaring past her rivals on the home straight, before finishing with too much pace for her trailing compatriot, Marianne Vos. Vos had to settle for second place behind but reclaimed the yellow jersey after narrowly losing it to Kim Le Court after stage two. 'It was very hectic, very fast,' Vos said of the finish. 'Of course, everyone was fighting for position and I think when we went right on to the river there was a big crash behind me. I hope everyone is well.' Vos, 38, is now six seconds ahead of Mauritius' Le Court in the general classification after the flat 163.5km ride from La Gacilly to Angers. France's Olympic cross-country champion, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, completed the top three, 12 seconds behind, with last year's Tour winner, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, fourth. Vollering remains fifth in the GC standings but faces a short window of recovery after her crash before Tuesday's fourth stage, another flat stage from Saumur to Poitiers.
Metro
7 minutes ago
- Metro
Ex-Arsenal star set for Premier League return after Ramsdale and Xhaka
Yet another former Arsenal player could make a surprise transfer back to the Premier League following Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta has been busy this summer spending just shy of £200million on six new players, including Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. There could yet be more incomings at the Emirates but this transfer window has also seen several notable ex-Gunners make high-profile moves. Former club captain Xhaka is set to join newly-promoted Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £17m. The Swiss midfielder only left north London two years ago and achieved great success in Germany, leading Leverkusen to an invincible league and cup double. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Meanwhile, Ramsdale has reportedly said yes to joining Newcastle, with the Magpies now working on the terms of a transfer with Southampton. The England goalkeeper, who only left the Emirates last summer, is available for £20m thanks to a relegation release clause, but could move to St. James' Park on a loan deal. Now, a third player Arteta recently got rid of could be heading back to England, as Sky Sports report that Everton are interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The former Three Lions star spent two decades at Arsenal and started the 2020 FA Cup final victory, the last time the club won a major trophy. Capable of playing at full-back and defensive midfield, he struggled to keep his place in the first-team under Arteta and after multiple loan spells, he was released in 2023 and subsequently joined Lyon. It is said Maitland-Niles, who has two years left on his contract with the French club, is open to returning to the Premier League. More Trending Everton boss David Moyes is an admirer of the 27-year-old and is desperate for new signings, recently telling The Athletic: 'I would hope by the time we get to the end of the window, we'd be closer to 10 [new players]. So you can imagine the amount of work we've got to do. 'The club are trying really hard to get the players I want and I've found it really difficult because in my last few years [in his previous job at West Ham], I've been involved in European competition. 'It's a bit easier when you're a club in Europe. You get a better chance of attracting a lot of players. 'We've been in for a lot of really good players. Unfortunately, a lot them have said no at the moment.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea preparing opening transfer bid to beat Arsenal to £60m star MORE: William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over 'scary' Arsenal signing MORE: Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak rejects £96m transfer offer after Liverpool talks
Metro
7 minutes ago
- Metro
Chelsea preparing opening transfer bid to beat Arsenal to £60m star
Chelsea are lining up an opening transfer offer to sign RB Leipzig and Netherlands star Xavi Simons, according to reports. The Blues have already bolstered Enzo Maresca's attack with the addition of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap for a combined fee of around £160million this summer. Young duo Estevao and Kendry Paez, both aged 18, could also be set for key roles in the first-team next season having touched down in west London with burgeoning reputations in South American football. But Stamford Bridge bosses are determined to further strengthen by bringing in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Simons before the transfer deadline. It's understood personal terms have been agreed with Hato's camp and a total agreement is edging ever closer for the 19-year-old Netherlands international. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Talks for Hato's Dutch team-mate Simons are also progressing at a pace and Chelsea are preparing an official bid for the 22-year-old having received some encouraging signs from RB Leipzig. According to talkSPORT, the latest round of 'positive' discussions have 'accelerated' over the last few days. It's claimed agent Ali Barat has been at the heart of negotiations for Simons this summer, with RB Leipzig keen to include a sell-on clause in any agreement for the former PSG and PSV Eindhoven man. The report adds that the Bundesliga outfit would be prepared to sanction the sale of Simons should they receive an offer in the region of €70m (£60.7m) from Chelsea. More Trending However, the Blues are hopeful they could drive down RB Leipzig's asking price and agree a lower fee for Simons. Chelsea's hierarchy want to avoid a repeat of last season – when Maresca's attacking options were left desperately thin on the ground after a string of injuries to key players – and Simons' versatility is considered a big plus. Arsenal have also been considering a move for Simons, but their interest remains just that at his stage and no concrete talks have taken place, with Eberechi Eze currently the Gunners' priority. Simons, who is believed to be open to the prospect of a Premier League move, has two years remaining on his current contract with RB Leipzig. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Ex-Arsenal star set for Premier League return after Aaron Ramsdale and Granit Xhaka MORE: William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over 'scary' Arsenal signing MORE: 'One of the best clubs' – Man Utd target fuels transfer speculation
