Messi Backs Dembele as FIFA’s Top Men’s Player in Doha Vote

FIFA released the voting breakdown from captains, coaches, and media representatives across the globe, and Messi’s choices quickly drew attention. The World Cup winner placed Dembele at the top of his list, followed by Kylian Mbappe, and Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal completed Messi’s three picks.

Messi’s selections carried weight. As the previous winner, his ballot offered a rare look into how one of the game’s sharpest minds judged the past year, and Dembele’s name sat first, clear and confident.

Dembele’s Season Did The Talking

The French forward did not need much defending, as his campaign with Paris Saint-Germain turned into a statement. Big matches never seemed too heavy, and PSG’s Champions League final ended in a ruthless 5-0 result, a night that stamped their authority across Europe.

Dembele finished the season with 35 goals in all competitions, 21 of them in Ligue 1, enough to top the scoring charts. Under Luis Enrique, his game looked sharper, calmer, and far more complete, and the flashes of talent became a steady presence.

Earlier this year, Dembele also collected the Men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first French player to do so since Karim Benzema, and Messi was among those who publicly congratulated him then.

A Crowded Field, Clear Outcome

Lamine Yamal pushed very hard, and the teenager’s rise at Barcelona turned heads across the continent. Finishing second at such an age only added to the sense of what lies ahead. Mbappe, meanwhile, remained firmly in the picture, rounding out the final three.

Still, the award night in Doha belonged to Dembele, and PSG’s historic treble, capped by domestic and European dominance, tilted the balance his way. Even the Club World Cup final appearance added another layer to an already heavy résumé.

Messi’s vote simply confirmed what the season had been pointing toward.