Ballon d’Or that could come at a high price

As much as Paris Saint-Germain celebrated their player Ousmane Dembele winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, that very honor might soon come back to haunt them.

That’s because Ousmane Dembele, now officially the best footballer in the world, is demanding the best salary to match his new status. According to Radio Monte Carlo, the entourage representing the French international has informed PSG’s management that the player should receive a significant pay raise following his prestigious award.

Dembele’s contract with the Parisians runs until the summer of 2028, but major clubs usually look to resolve contract situations well before entering the so-called “red zone” — when it becomes a matter of either immediate renewal or a free transfer.

However, it’s far from certain that the lightning-fast winger will get what he wants. As Luis Campos, PSG’s football advisor, recently explained, the club’s policy has changed after years of mistakes in which stars were constantly indulged.

Now, the club comes first. That rule applies to everyone — as Gianluigi Donnarumma found out this summer. He made certain demands that weren’t met, and ultimately had to (or was able to) leave, joining Manchester City.

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“We won’t jeopardize the club’s stability for a player who wants to stand above the rest. We will protect PSG. Everyone must understand that the coach doesn’t pick players based on their name or past achievements. You have to prove yourself every day — in every training session, every match. Our goal is to build a team, and the club is more important than any individual,” Campos declared.

Those words are hardly music to Ousmane Dembele’s ears — or to those managing his career...