{"id":802276,"date":"2025-09-18T10:45:33","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T10:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/non-classe\/mbapp-confirms-absence-from-ballon-dor-backs-dembe-rm-1758192331600"},"modified":"2025-09-18T10:45:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T10:45:33","slug":"mbapp-confirms-absence-from-ballon-dor-backs-dembe-rm-1758192331600","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/non-classe\/mbapp-confirms-absence-from-ballon-dor-backs-dembe-rm-1758192331600","title":{"rendered":"Mbapp\u00e9 confirms absence from Ballon d\u2019Or, backs Dembele for glory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The football world is abuzz as the prestigious Ballon d’Or<\/strong> ceremony approaches, set to take place in Paris on September 22, 2025. However, French superstar Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/strong> has confirmed he will not be attending the event, citing personal reasons. Instead, he plans to watch the ceremony from home as he lends his full support to fellow PSG teammate Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A Show of Solidarity<\/h2>\n

In a heartfelt statement, Mbapp\u00e9 expressed his admiration for Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, who is among the frontrunners for this year’s award alongside promising talents such as Lamine Yamal<\/strong> from FC Barcelona. “I will be cheering for Ousmane; he’s a long-time friend and deserves this recognition,” said Mbapp\u00e9.<\/p>\n

This gesture of camaraderie reflects the close-knit relationships that often form within teams, particularly in clubs like PSG where African and French talents coalesce. Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s rise in European football has been remarkable, showcasing skills that resonate with many young African players who look up to him as a role model.<\/p>\n

The Road to 2026<\/h2>\n

While Mbapp\u00e9’s absence may disappoint some fans hoping to see him collect accolades this year, his prolific scoring since the beginning of the season has already positioned him as a strong contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. His current form not only highlights his individual brilliance but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring African footballers looking to make their mark on the global stage.<\/p>\n

Mbapp\u00e9’s decision to focus on supporting his teammate rather than competing for individual accolades speaks volumes about the evolving nature of sportsmanship in football. It also emphasizes how players are increasingly recognizing the importance of unity and support within their ranks\u2014especially in a continent rich with talent and potential.<\/p>\n

Impact on African Football<\/h2>\n

The implications of Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s support for Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 extend beyond just personal friendship; they underscore a growing trend among African players in Europe. As more players from Africa shine in top leagues around the world, there is a renewed emphasis on mentorship and community within teams. This shift could pave the way for greater collaboration and success among African talents both at club and international levels.<\/p>\n

The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)<\/strong> will also benefit from this atmosphere of solidarity. With stars like Mbapp\u00e9 and Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 setting examples by prioritizing team success over individual glory, young players representing their nations can draw inspiration from their journeys and strive to emulate their success back home.<\/p>\n

A Bright Future Ahead<\/h2>\n

The future looks promising for African football as players continue to break barriers in European leagues. With events like AFCON and World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, it is crucial for rising stars to harness this spirit of unity highlighted by Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s actions. The narrative surrounding African players is shifting from mere participation to dominance on the world stage.<\/p>\n

As fans eagerly await the Ballon d’Or ceremony later this month, they can take pride in knowing that regardless of individual outcomes, there is strength in community\u2014one that celebrates not only personal achievements but also supports fellow athletes aiming for greatness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The football world is abuzz as the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches, set to take place in Paris on September 22, 2025. However, French superstar Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 has confirmed he will not be attending the event, citing personal reasons. Instead, he plans to watch the ceremony from home as he lends his full support to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":802275,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/image-55.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfmZoa-3mHW","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802276\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}