Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has publicly endorsed his teammate Ousmane Dembélé as the rightful recipient of the 2025 Ballon d'Or award following the club's historic Champions League triumph.

The Brazilian defender made his endorsement during PSG's open-top bus victory parade in Paris on Sunday, where he was heard repeatedly chanting "Ousmané, BALLON D'OR!" as the team celebrated their first-ever Champions League trophy.

PSG secured their maiden Champions League title in emphatic fashion, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final held in Munich on Saturday. The comprehensive victory has significantly boosted Dembélé's credentials for football's most prestigious individual honor.

The French international has enjoyed a stellar 2024-25 campaign, contributing 33 goals and 15 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions. These impressive statistics, coupled with PSG's Champions League success, have placed Dembélé firmly in the conversation for the Ballon d'Or.

Sunday's celebrations saw thousands of PSG supporters line the streets of Paris as the team's victory parade traveled from the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. The scenes underscored the historic significance of the club's achievement after years of falling short in Europe's premier club competition.

Despite Marquinhos' enthusiastic endorsement, Dembélé himself has previously downplayed his interest in the individual accolade, choosing to focus on team success ahead of the Champions League final.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or race remains competitive, with several other contenders still in the running. However, Dembélé's contributions to PSG's historic season have undoubtedly strengthened his case for the award, which will be presented later this year.