Online Reporter
OUSMANE DEMBELE will be out to break the 70-year Ballon d’Or curse that has even struck down Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But for now he’s just hoping not to be dumped out of the France team.
The PSG winger started in Les Bleus’ star-studded Fab Four frontline alongside Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Kylian Mbappe against Senegal.
But Dembele, 29, was the quietest of the quartet and was subbed off on 80 minutes after mustering just one shot off target, a 0.03 xG and zero chances created, dribbles attempted or touches in the opposition’s box.
His replacement, Bradley Barcola, scored two minutes later. France coaches were unimpressed by Dembele’s performance.
France fans have been largely underwhelmed by Dembele throughout his 60-cap international career which has yielded just seven goals.
Barcola is expected to start against Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday night – coming in for either of his PSG team-mates, Dembele or Doue.
Should the former Barcelona man keep his place, he will be desperate to put in a better performance against the team ranked 60th in the world by Fifa.
And, crucially, help set himself on his way to ending the infamous Ballon d’Or curse.
Dembele was crowned the best player on the planet in September 2025 by getting his hands on the iconic trophy after spearheading PSG to Champions League glory.
But NONE of the SEVENTEEN reigning Ballon d’Or winners have ever won the World Cup. The streak stretches back to its inception in 1956 and includes the likes of Johan Cruyff (1973), Ronaldo (1997), Messi (2009) and Cristiano (2013 and 2017).
Ironically, Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021 – but the 2022 edition was awarded to Karim Benzema ahead of the delayed winter tournament in Qatar.
Frenchman Benzema was ruled out of that World Cup through injury as Argentina beat the defending champions in the final.
France put down a statement in the electrifying second half against Senegal but did not look totally convincing defensively, conceding cheaply in injury time to teenager Ibrahim Mbaye – yet another PSG attacking talent.
Centre-backs Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba will remain at the heart of the back four – but Jules Kounde and particularly Theo Hernandez are at risk of being dropped.
Kounde may well retain his spot simply because Malo Gusto is not fully fit while Lucas Digne is ready to play at left-back, with Manu Kone tipped to partner Adrien Rabiot in midfield instead of Aurelien Tchouameni. —Sun.
