“Ousmane Dembélé dead 2026” : Ballon d'Or 2025 killed by internet death hoax

News of footballer Ousmane Dembélé’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, Ballon d'Or 2025 is alive and well.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Ousmane Dembélé death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the footballer’s alleged demise gained traction on Wednesday after a ‘R.I.P. Ousmane Dembélé’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the French footballer’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (March 18, 2026), our beloved footballer Ousmane Dembélé passed away. Ousmane Dembélé was born on May 15, 1997 in Vernon. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 28-year-old footballer was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major French network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a footballer of Ousmane Dembélé's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (62%) of respondents think those Ousmane Dembélé death rumors are not funny anymore.

Ousmane Dembélé Death Hoax Dismissed Since Footballer Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Thursday (March 19) the footballer's reps officially confirmed that Ousmane Dembélé is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved footballer. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

© 2026 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).

Celebrity Central