Ousmane Dembélé has joined a growing list of Ballon d’Or winners who crashed out of the World Cup early.
What happened?
France’s star winger saw his team’s campaign end in the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The defeat meant Dembélé became the latest Ballon d’Or winner to suffer the so-called ‘curse’—a pattern where past winners fail to progress deep in the tournament. His side’s exit came after a 2-1 loss to Brazil on 28 June in Los Angeles.
Why it matters for Ousmane Dembélé
The ‘curse’ has struck multiple Ballon d’Or winners over the years. Dembélé, 29, now shares the fate of legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who also bowed out early in recent editions. His performance in the group stage drew criticism despite flashes of his usual skill. The loss leaves questions over France’s future without a deep World Cup run.
The curse’s heavyweight victims
Past winners hit by the curse include Luka Modrić in 2022 and Ronaldo in 2018. Even Messi fell short in 2022 after his 2021 Ballon d’Or win. The trend highlights the gap between club and international success. Dembélé’s exit adds his name to a list few want to join.
What comes next?
Dembélé will return to club duties with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. His focus shifts to helping PSG chase another league title after a mixed World Cup. The French winger’s next chance to break the curse may come at Euro 2028. For now, the ‘curse’ lives on.