Didier Deschamps, Luis de la Fuente disagree on Ballon d'Or favourites ahead of UEFA Nations League semi-final

Ousmane Dembele inspired Paris Saint-Germain to UEFA Champions League glory on Saturday with their 5-0 thrashing of Internazionale. And France manager Didier Deschamps has backed Dembele to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. France take on Spain in the second Nations League semi-final, with the winner to play Portugal in the final.

Didier Deschamps has backed Ousmane Dembele for the Ballon d'Or, while saying he expects the Paris Saint-Germain players to be ready when France take on Spain in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday.

PSG thrashed Internazionale 5-0 in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final in Munich.

Dembele was part of the team who helped make history for PSG, winning the club's first European Cup, along with Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Lucas Hernandez. Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard played for Inter.

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"They are here, so I am counting on them," France manager Deschamps said. "I found them very happy on Monday evening, of course, with a certain fatigue as well.

"Then, there were Benjamin and Marcus on the other side. The feelings and emotions were not the same.

"Ideally, when there is a peak like that, of course, you always have to come back down, but now, we need to quickly get back up because the match is close."

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Dembele was named Champions League player of the season, and now Deschamps wants him to win the Ballon d'Or, despite fierce competition from Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

"Of course I am for Ousmane, since he is French and with the season he is celebrating," Deschamps said.

"Obviously, this Nations League can bring some elements of response, the Club World Cup too. If I have to choose, I tell you Ous, 100%, of course.

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"If you ask me about the Spaniards, I don't think they will tell you the same thing. But obviously, Ousmane, with the season he is having, deserves it."

France and Spain will be aiming for a place in the final and a meeting with Portugal, who beat Germany 2-1 in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

Spanish trio can all challenge Dembele for big prize, says De la Fuente

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has taken a different view to Deschamps on the Ballon d'Or, believing Yamal, Fabian Ruiz and Pedri are all strong contenders to challenge Dembele.

The Euro 2024 winners are preparing for Thursday's showdown with France, and De la Fuente is understandably talking up his players.

"If you put his name on the table, I will say I vote for Lamine. But it's the same with Fabian or any Spanish player," De la Fuente said.

"If they are rewarded for winning titles, Lamine, Pedri or Fabian have done everything to be nominated.

"If I have to vote, I can already anticipate that it will be for the Spanish player who is nominated."

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