The football world’s full attention this weekend will be on the Champions League final in Munich between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
The two teams have been the standout sides in this season’s competition, with the Ligue 1 champions impressing everybody with their entertaining style of play, while the Serie A side have taken down some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
As always, players within successful teams attract attention from other clubs when they start to shine, and that is no different with the Champions League finalists, as Man City have one of PSG’s stars on their transfer list.
Having been one of the best players in this season’s Champions League, Gary Lineker has now tipped the Man City target to be a contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, which would only add to the price tag the French club will put on him.
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Gary Lineker tips Gianluigi Donnarumma to be a Ballon d’Or contender
Ederson is expected to leave Man City this summer after eight years at the Etihad Stadium, and as a result, the Manchester club are in the market in search of the Brazilian’s replacement.
Man City have shown an interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma this year as the PSG goalkeeper is out of contract in 2026, with there being no sign of a new deal being offered to the Italian star so far.
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Having been one of the main stars in PSG’s run to the Champions League final, Lineker has now tipped the Italy international to be a contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or should he have a good game on Saturday against Inter Milan.
“And if Donnarumma had another, say, an amazing game, and maybe he was the key figure, is it possible that we get a goalkeeper as the winner of the Ballon d’Or?” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football.
To which Micah Richards replied with: “Ooh, it’s not a bad shout. It’s not a bad shout”.
To which Lineker followed up by saying: “I think it’s a terrible shout. I don’t like goalkeepers. They always get in the way. They get in the way of your goal scorers”.
Donnarumma hopes to stay at PSG beyond 2026, but has admitted that the decision is in the French club’s hands.
Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Paul Ince thinks Gianluigi Donnarumma has been the best player in the Champions League
Lineker is not the only pundit who has been impressed with Donnarumma in the Champions League this season, as Paul Ince has stated that the goalkeeper has been the best player in the tournament.
While previewing the final on The Mirror’s YouTube channel, the former Man United star said about the PSG shot-stopper: “They got the goalkeeper, Donnarumma, who has absolutely been the best player in the Champions League this year”.
Although Donnarumma is having a great season, the Italian would not be a good fit for Man City as the 26-year-old is not the best with the ball at his feet, which is crucial for Pep Guardiola.
PSG are likely to offer the goalkeeper a new deal in the future, and if it arrives with an acceptable offer, the Italy international has already stated that he will sign it, which will end all the speculation around his future.