Lothar Matthäus sees an opportunity for Dembélé and praises Olise in Golden

Lothar Matthäus sees opportunity for Dembélé and praises Olise in Golden

According to Championat.

Background

Лотар Маттеус, a legendary German footballer, has had his career marked by both club and international success. His recent comments on the Golden Ball candidates, including Rodri, Dembélé and Mbappé, reflect his in-depth knowledge of the game and current trends in the world of football. With his experience, his opinion can influence players and fans, especially in the run-up to important tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup.

Why this matters

Лотар Маттеус's opinion on the Golden Ball candidates offers insight into the dynamics of the current football scene, especially after the 2026 World Cup. His criticism of Rodri and Kylian Mbappé highlights the influence of club performance on individual awards. This could also influence expectations for future tournaments and club competitions, such as the Champions League and Bundesliga.

Key points

• Lothar Matthäus sees an opportunity for Dembélé and praises Olise in Golden.
• Matthäus discusses the Golden Ball candidates after the 2026 World Cup: chances for Dembélé, praise for Olise, doubts about Rodri and Mbappé.
• Лотар Маттеус назвал потенциальных обладателей Золотого мяча.

Lothar Matthäus has taken a look at the main candidates for the Golden Ball. The former Germany captain does not see a clear top favorite after the 2026 World Cup, but does emphatically put forward a few names. According to Matthäus, it is still too early to award Rodri the prize, despite the fact that the Spanish midfielder was named the best player of the world championship and played a key role as a director for the world champions. According to him, Spain mainly operated as a close-knit collective, which made it difficult to identify one individual standout.

While Matthäus is cautious about Rodri, he sees serious opportunities for Ousmane Dembélé. The French attacker won the Champions League again this season with Paris Saint-Germain, a trophy that usually carries a lot of weight in the Golden Ball voting round. According to the former international, Dembélé combined his impact on the highest European club stage with a role at the World Cup, which strengthens his case for the final prize.

Kylian Mbappé is assessed more critically by Matthäus. Although the French star player won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot as top scorer, he has so far missed out on trophies at Real Madrid. That lack of club titles could hinder him in the battle for the Golden Ball. Matthäus indicates that he would be surprised if the trophy goes to Mbappé this year, precisely because voters often take the total prize harvest into account.

Matthäus's appreciation for Michael Olise is striking. Bayern Munich's creative striker impressed with his productivity, leading the assists rankings in both the Bundesliga and the World Cup. Together with the top scorer of the German league, Harry Kane, Olise led Bayern to a national 'golden' double and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup with his country. That combination of individualstatistics and team prizes make him a serious outsider in the Golden Ball race, according to Matthäus.

The Golden Ball is traditionally determined by an international jury of journalists who take into account both individual class and influence on decisive matches and prizes won. This places performances at the 2026 World Cup, the Champions League and the national competitions at the center of the assessment. In that context, Matthäus places Dembélé and Olise emphatically on the radar, while he makes comments about Rodri and Mbappé. According to him, one thing is clear: the field is open and the final rush of the season - including the way the World Cup ended - will tip the balance.

What's happening now

With the Golden Ball elections on the horizon, players like Dembélé and Olise will need to continue to improve their performances to maximize their chances. Matthäus' analysis can also influence fan perception and voting, especially if the focus is on club titles and international successes. The coming months will be crucial for these players, especially with the 2026 World Cup in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Lothar Matthäus say about the Golden Ball candidates?

Lothar Matthäus has put forward several players as candidates for the Ballon d'Or, including Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, while expressing doubts about Rodri and Kylian Mbappé.

Who confirmed the doubts about Rodri and Mbappé?

The doubts about Rodri and Mbappé have been confirmed by Lothar Matthäus, who was critical of their chances for the Golden Ball.

Why does Matthäus have doubts about Rodri?

Matthäus has doubts about Rodri because Spain was strong as a team and it is difficult to point to one individual standout, even though Rodri became the best player of the World Cup.

What are Ousmane Dembélé's chances according to Matthäus?

Matthäus sees serious opportunities for Ousmane Dembélé, especially because of his impact in the Champions League and his role in the World Cup.

What changes are there in the assessment of players according to Matthäus?

Matthäus has changed his assessment of players by positively highlighting Dembélé and Olise, while being more critical of Mbappé due to the lack of club titles.

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