'The pride of our team' - Ousmane Dembele's former club take out full-page advert in L'Equipe to celebrate PSG star's Ballon d'Or success

Dembele’s first professional club celebrated his Ballon d’Or success with a major PR campaign, including a full-page advert in L’Equipe that hailed him as “the pride of our team.” The 28-year-old guided PSG to their first-ever Champions League crown and a historic treble, with 35 goals and 16 assists across the campaign securing him the top individual honour in world football.

The Frenchman's rise has been closely tied to Rennes, who scouted him at the age of eight before nurturing him in their academy from 13. His journey from Roazhon Park to global stardom has now come full circle, with his hometown club using his triumph as a symbol of their youth development success. 

Rennes recruitment director Philippe Barraud reflected on those early years, saying: "Given his qualities, his natural, exceptional technical abilities, Ousmane had a unique profile. With such a love for football," he recalls. "It's a great reward. Few clubs can say today that they have the capacity to train a Ballon d'Or winner." 

His win also adds fresh prestige to PSG's project, marking the club’s long-awaited breakthrough on the Ballon d’Or stage.

During his acceptance speech at the Theatre du Chatelet, Dembele made sure to remember his formative years: "I also thank all the clubs I've played for, Borussia Dortmund, Rennes, FC Barcelona, where I dreamed of playing and where I played with great players like Iniesta and Lionel Messi," he added. "The Ballon d'Or wasn't a goal in my career, but it's exceptional. I worked for the team to win the Champions League. To be thanked with a trophy like the Ballon d'Or is exceptional, so I'm happy tonight."

The ex-Barcelona star remains sidelined with a hamstring injury but will aim to return strongly for Les Parisians as they look to build on their treble-winning campaign. Meanwhile, Stade Rennais plan to further immortalise their most famous graduate, with Dembele already honoured at Roazhon Park and a training ground named after him earlier this year.