Ousmane Dembele’s agent has dismissed any involvement in a bizarre PR storm that erupted following claims of a secret campaign to boost the winger’s Ballon d’Or chances.
A journalist recently revealed a “confidential” offer to covertly promote the Paris Saint-Germain star online, sparking speculation around the Frenchman’s bid for football’s top individual prize.
Source: Getty Images
Despite the controversy, Dembele remains the frontrunner after being named Champions League Player of the Season during PSG’s triumphant 2024–25 campaign.
The 28-year-old is expected to battle it out with teammates Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes, as well as Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
However, the revelations have cast a shadow over his candidacy, with suggestions that behind-the-scenes manoeuvres could dent the legitimacy of a potential first Ballon d’Or win.
An investigation by The Athletic revealed that sports writer Neal Gardner received an email titled “Confidential Collaboration Opportunity” from a creative agency, proposing a month-long campaign of “carefully crafted tweets” to boost the narrative around Ousmane Dembélé.
After Gardner shared the email publicly, the agency was identified as India-based Bangrr International.
Its founder, Ali Husain, later claimed the message came from an 18-year-old intern acting without approval, describing it as an “unsolicited inquiry” made out of “educational curiosity” to research influencer rates.
Husain apologised to both Gardner and Dembélé, calling the incident a “misunderstanding.”
The player has been fully distanced from the episode, with Ousmane Dembélé’s representatives firmly denying any knowledge of or involvement in the proposed social media push.
Gardner, who received the email, said he had no idea who was behind the initiative but decided to go public to “raise awareness” of what he described as a “ridiculous” situation.
The plan itself was riddled with flaws: the agency targeted Gardner, a known Barcelona supporter, hoping his pro-Dembélé tweets would seem authentic.
Yet the biggest misstep was timing, voting for the 2025 Ballon d’Or had already closed, making the proposed month-long campaign completely pointless ahead of next Monday’s awards ceremony in Paris.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
