Dembélé and Kelly Lead Ballon d'Or Race Amid PSG Team Absence

In the competitive race for the prestigious Ballon d'Or awards, Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé and England forward Chloe Kelly have emerged as leading contenders. The winners will be announced in a glitzy ceremony in Paris, despite a scheduling conflict with a key PSG match.

Dembélé played a pivotal role in leading PSG to its first Champions League title. Though most of the team will miss the ceremony due to their match against Marseille, injury has sidelined Dembélé and some teammates, allowing them to attend.

On the women's side, Chloe Kelly's critical performance in England's European Championship victory and Arsenal's unexpected Champions League win have positioned her strongly among the 30 nominees. The wide array of nominees underscores the global nature of these prestigious awards.