Jose Mourinho names his Ballon d'Or winner and it's not Lamine Yamal or Ousmane Dembele - SPORTbible

Legendary manager Jose Mourinho had nary uncertainty erstwhile helium was asked who should triumph the Ballon d'Or and it's neither Ousmane Dembele, nor Lamine Yamal.

After scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists successful 53 games for PSG last season, Dembele is wide seen arsenic the favourite for the prestigious idiosyncratic award.

Luis Enrique's broadside convincingly won a treble, earlier they fell abbreviated successful the FIFA Club World Cup last to a Cole Palmer-inspired Chelsea.

Dembele's biggest rival for the grant is expected to beryllium the 18-year-old Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal.

The Barcelona forward ended the run with 18 goals and 25 assists arsenic the Catalans won some La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

But Hansi Flick's men fell abbreviated successful Europe, losing a thrilling Champions League semi-final to Inter Milan.

Despite some players enjoying hugely palmy seasons, Mourinho does not judge either merit to triumph the Ballon d'Or.

Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal are the frontrunners for the award. (Image: Jean Catuffe / Contributor via Getty)

In an interview with Canal 11, the Portuguese manager said helium believed that the grant indispensable beryllium fixed to a subordinate who won the Champions League, ruling Yamal retired of contention.

Mourinho said: "Football, arsenic overmuch arsenic we each privation to marque players peculiar people, coaches peculiar people, for me, it remains astir the team.

"And for me, immoderate idiosyncratic trophy indispensable ever person a nonstop transportation to titles."

But alternatively of backing Dembele for the award, helium believes either Nuno Mendes oregon Vitinha merit to triumph it.

He said: "I emotion them both; I can't archer the difference.

"The lone happening I'd accidental is that there's inactive a tiny radical of bully midfielders there, and present full-backs similar that

"I'd similar 1 of them to win, obviously, but past Jorge Mendes volition get huffy astatine maine due to the fact that helium lone thinks Yamal, his player, should win."

Vitinha and Nuno Mendes were integral to PSG's treble-winning season. (Image: Melinda Meijer/ISI Photos / Contributor via Getty)

The erstwhile Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs manager is presently managing Turkish nine Fenerbahçe.

Last season, they finished 2nd successful the Turkish Super Lig, but were 11 points down arch-rivals Galatasaray.

But that did not halt the 62-year-old making the headlines, including a reddish paper during his side's 1-1 gully with United successful the Europa League.

This year's Ballon d'Or ceremonial is scheduled for 22nd September successful Paris.

It is simply a period earlier than past year, erstwhile Manchester City's Rodri bushed Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr to assertion the prize.

Although Dembele and Yamal are the 2 frontrunners for the honour, some of Portugal's PSG stars could yet upset the odds.