Ballon d'Or 2026: Dembélé congratulates Maza and predicts a bright future for him!
During the exchanges on the red carpet, with evident camaraderie and special praises on Instagram, Ousmane Dembélé clearly expressed his admiration for Ibrahim Maza at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony. The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner even slipped in a few words that are sure to provoke reactions.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony featured a meeting that did not go unnoticed by Algerian observers. Present in London for the event, Ibrahim Maza shared several moments with Ousmane Dembélé. The two players engaged in numerous discussions on the red carpet, revealing a strong bond between them.
However, it was especially after the ceremony that the Paris Saint-Germain forward sent a strong message to the young Algerian international. In response to an Instagram post from Maza about the evening, Dembélé commented: “Next Ballon d'Or inshallah.” In other words, the Frenchman already sees the Fennec as a potential future winner of the highest individual honor in world football.
This is particularly flattering support from the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, who understands better than anyone the importance of such an award. Beyond the simple comment, Dembélé also introduced Maza to his agent, an additional indication of the good relationship between the two men.
This closeness comes as the Bayer Leverkusen player's name has been mentioned in recent days in rumors of interest from PSG. However, it is difficult to establish a link between these speculations and the interactions observed during the ceremony. The main point remains elsewhere: Dembélé has publicly expressed his support for the young Algerian and seems convinced of his potential.
Maza, ninth-best young player in the world
At just 20 years old, Ibrahim Maza secured ninth place in the 2026 Kopa Trophy, which honors the best young player of the season. The Algerian attacking midfielder thus ranks among the ten most remarkable talents of his generation, in a ranking won by Lamine Yamal for the third consecutive year.
This distinction highlights his progress within Bayer Leverkusen and the Algerian national team. Although Dembélé's prediction may seem ambitious, it represents a significant vote of confidence for a Fennec whose rise is just beginning.
DZfoot
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