"Next Ballon d'Or InshAllah": Dembélé's notable compliment to Ibrahim Maza

PSG forward Dembélé praised Leverkusen midfielder Maza at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, posting 'Next Ballon d'Or InshAllah' on social media.

At the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony in London on Monday, PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé crossed paths with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza on the red carpet. The pair exchanged pleasantries, with Dembélé introducing the 20-year-old Algerian international to his agent Moussa Dembélé.

After the event, Dembélé posted a notable comment on social media beneath a photo of Maza on the red carpet: "Next Ballon d'Or InshAllah" accompanied by a handshake emoji and a green heart, an apparent nod to Algeria. The public interaction has fuelled ongoing transfer rumours linking Maza to PSG, with the Leverkusen player currently under contract until 2030.