With the dream of winning the 2026 World Cup with France, Ousmane Dembélé joined an undesired list. There was another chapter added to the Ballon d’Or curse after the 2026 World Cup semifinals, as Spain beat France to ensure Ousmane Dembélé became the latest player to continue the trend.
The forward joined the list of current Ballon d’Or winners who failed to win the World Cup. Even after France’s strong performances throughout the tournament, they were unable to play at their best in the semifinal defeat.
With his World Cup dream ending earlier than expected, Dembélé has scored five goals in seven matches, including a hat trick against Norway. He will have one more opportunity to improve that tally in the third-place match.
Ballon d’Or yearBallon d’Or winnerNational teamWorld Cup winner2025Ousmane DembéléFranceUnknown (France eliminated)2022Karim BenzemaFranceArgentina2017Cristiano RonaldoPortugalFrance2013Cristiano RonaldoPortugalGermany2009Lionel MessiArgentinaSpain2005RonaldinhoBrazilItaly2001Michael OwenEnglandBrazil1997RonaldoBrazilFrance1993Roberto BaggioItalyBrazil1989Marco van BastenNetherlandsGermany1985Michel PlatiniFranceArgentina1981Karl-Heinz RummeniggeWest GermanyItaly1977Allan SimonsenDenmarkArgentina1973Johan CruyffNetherlandsGermany1969Gianni RiveraItalyBrazil1965EusébioPortugalEngland1961Omar SívoriItalyBrazil1957Alfredo Di StéfanoSpainBrazil