Ousmane Dembele helped Paris Saint-Germain secure their second successive Champions League title on Saturday night.

The world-class winger and current holder of the Ballon d’Or award scored the all-important goal from the penalty spot that levelled the final against Arsenal. PSG then went on to win the final in Budapest after a separate penalty shootout.

And what a penalty it was, too. Dembele is naturally left-footed and shaped to shoot on his favoured side before converting an unstoppable right-footed strike past David Raya, arguably the greatest goalkeeper in the world right now. Watch Dembele’s penalty below:

The first time it was noticed that Dembele chose to take penalties with his weaker right-foot was back in his days at Stade Rennais. When asked about the unusual decision, the attacker provided a short but sweet explanation that he preferred to shoot with his weaker side because he could generate more power.

The French international elaborated on this further after joining Barcelona in 2017, saying:

Being ambidextrous means having the ability to use both the right and left hands with equal proficiency. This skill is rare and can be natural or developed through practice.

More often than not, this is apparent when people are able to write or use cutlery with both hands. But in the case of Dembele, it’s made him an even more unpredictable player as he has the ability to cut in on his left or dribble down the right in equally devastating fashion.

Dembele Could Win Ballon d’Or Again

PSG’s latest Champions League triumph under Luis Enrique means Dembele has catapulted himself into pole position for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award. The Frenchman previously trailed the likes of Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe but now sits in top spot with less than five months to go before the ceremony.

Dembele, who has scored 20 goals and registered 11 assists in 40 games this season, could become the first player to retain the Ballon d’Or since Lionel Messi in 2021. However, much will depend on how France perform at this summer’s 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

If France win the tournament with Dembele playing a starring role, he’ll inevitably become the red-hot favouite to win the Ballon d’Or again and cements his status as one of the greats of his generation in the process.

Steven Gerrard criticised one Arsenal player in the aftermath of the Gunners’ Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday night.

Arsenal, who recently secured their first Premier League title since 2004, came agonisingly close to becoming European champions for the first time in their history but lost on penalties to the French outfit.

Mikel Arteta’s side took an early lead in Budapest through Kai Havertz, who produced a stunning finish from an acute angle past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

However, current Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele equalised from the penalty spot with 25 minutes left to play, forcing extra-time and then penalties.

While Arsenal’s world-class goalkeeper David Raya produced one save in the shootout from Nuno Mendes, the Premier League side ultimately lost following misses by Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Gerrard Slams Eze’s Penalty Technique as ‘Nonsense’

Liverpool legend Gerrard criticised Eze’s penalty technique while speaking live on TNT Sports. The 27-year-old winger, who is part of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup, took an elaborate run-up before hitting his spot-kick wide. Watch Eze’s penalty below:

Gerrard, hero of the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, was quoted by the Mirror as saying: “Penalties are hard enough.

Gerrard later admitted that he respects anyone ‘brave’ enough to step up and take a penalty in those circumstances, but the former England international clearly wasn’t a fan of Eze’s stuttered penalty run-up.

Declan Rice: It’s Gutting to Lose on Penalties

Declan Rice was one of three Arsenal players who successfully converted from the spot during the shootout. The 2026 Ballon d’Or contender admitted “it’s gutting” to lose the Champions League final on penalties.

“We try to take a lot of perspective from how far we’ve come as a group,” Rice said, per ESPN. “It’s been an incredible season – our 63rd game in all competitions tonight – giving it absolutely everything up until this point.

“We took the game to penalties. I know it’s a lottery, but it’s football. You can either win on pens or you lose on pens, and some of the best teams ever have lost on penalties in finals. We were on the receiving end of that tonight. Look, we win together, we lose together.

“I’m so proud of this group and these boys. What a season, it’s been incredible. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone.

“I’m obviously gutted but I’m just trying to take a little bit of perspective from when we started back last July to where we are now. It’s been an incredible journey this season. We’ll be back.”

Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign highly-rated Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo to bolster their attack, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Red Devils have made bolstering their midfield a priority this summer, but there is also scope to add a new forward to the squad as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund will all leave permanently during the transfer window.

A new left-winger is understood to be a key area that the club want to strengthen ahead of the new season, and a 21-year-old sensation has now emerged as a target.

Man Utd Eyeing Fernandez-Pardo Deal

Fernandez-Pardo, who has been described as ‘explosive’, is expected to leave Ligue 1 side Lille this summer after a fantastic campaign with the French side, where he registered eight goals and six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.

The Belgian has been identified by Newcastle United as a top target to replace Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona in a £70m deal, but Man Utd are also understood to be showing an interest in the exciting forward.

Lille need to sell players this summer to help them raise funds, and the winger is regarded as one of their most sellable assets. Despite reports that he is valued at around €50m (£43.2m), United could be willing to pay it as they look for competition in the wide positions for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Patrick Dorgu.

The 21-year-old is also understood to be of interest to Man City, with his versatility being a big point of interest, as he is able to play across the forward line out wide or through the middle.

Fernandez-Pardo is part of the Belgium squad heading to the World Cup this summer, and Lillle will be hoping that he can turn in some serious performances to help raise his price tag.

Man Utd Need Attacking Additions

Michael Carrick admitted months ago that left-wing is a position that Man Utd need to strenghten, and now that he has the role permanently, he is likely to make it a priority.

Fernandez-Pardo is the type of signing that would fit in well at Man utd as a young player with plenty of room to grow, but also having experience at a high level and performances that prove he is ready to make the step up.

Considering the likely fee he will be available for, this could be a real bargain deal considering usual market value, and he would give the squad a boost in a position that needs reinforcements ahead of next seaosn.