'The holy grail' - PSG star Ousmane Dembele reveals key career objective he's yet to achieve as he explains elite hat-trick routine he runs through before every match

Dembele called it the "holy grail" as a footballer to receive the Ballon d'Or, deemed recognition for being the best player in the world. Indeed, he labelled the prestigious individual award "exceptional" and explained how it made him "dream" as child.

As the leading man in Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Champions League treble, Dembele is automatically a favourite for the Ballon d'Or when it is handed out, in Paris, in September. His 48 goals and assists in 49 appearances across the season demonstrated a colossal impact on PSG, who lifted a maiden Champions League trophy in record-breaking fashion last month.

"Winning a Ballon d'Or when you're a football player is obviously the holy grail, individually. It's something you dream about when you're little. I remember back when it was on Telefoot, watching the players line up to receive the Ballon d'Or; it was incredible. The award is exceptional," Dembele told France Football.

"I hope to be among the 30 nominees already. I've had some difficult years with injuries and poor performances too. This season, I think I've performed well, so we'll see what happens. It would be exceptional to have my name on the list. And being one of the favourites is already a great victory, even if I hope to win it one day."

Dembele also revealed to France Football a simple pre-match routine he's been using all season, a campaign that saw him score more goals than in the previous five combined. "Since the start of the season, I've started every match telling myself I'm going to score three goals. And if it's one or two, that's good too," he said.

Dembele's astonishing career-best season could yet get even better. With PSG competing in the FIFA Club World Cup, there is a strong possibility of adding a fourth trophy to make it a quadruple for 2024-25. That would only further underline his Ballon d'Or prospects, with chief rivals for the award – Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Mohamed Salah – not involved in the new quadrennial competition.