Ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker (Picture: YouTube)
Gary Lineker has named his ‘favourite’ to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah.
Despite intense speculation over a departure from Anfield, Salah enjoyed arguably his best season at the club, scoring a league best 29 goals in the Premier League.
Salah’s form helped Arne Slot’s Liverpool clinch the Premier League title and led to calls for the Egyptian to bag his first Ballon d’Or award, given to the best footballer in the world over the past year.
But Lineker believes Salah, 32, will be left disappointed yet again and has tipped Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League winner Ousmane Dembele to be recognised as the best player on the planet.
Dembele starred in PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph and also helped Luis Enrique’s side clinch a domestic double, scoring 33 goals in all competitions.
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‘We have to come to the inevitable question of the Ballon d’Or,’ ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast.
‘It’s obviously hugely influenced generally by the team that wins the Champions League. But in some ways because of the nature of PSG’s teamwork it doesn’t come down to one individual.
Paris Saint-Germain v FC Internazionale Milano - UEFA Champions League Final 2025
Ousmane Dembele celebrates after PSG win the Champions League (Picture: Getty)
‘You could probably give it to quite a few of their players. I suppose Dembele will be the favourite. He had a couple of really good moments in the final despite not getting a goal.
‘He was very involved in quite a few of the goals, one assist and maybe a pre-assist as well. I think he will probably be favourite now.
‘Donnaruma might have a slight chance but goalkeepers rarely get it. Maybe Hakimi as well.’
Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer added: ‘I would guess Dembele, he would probably be the favourite for it now.’
Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
Mohamed Salah could miss out on the award (Picture: Getty)
PSG beat Premier League clubs Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on route to the final and then thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 to lift the trophy.
Following the final, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said on TNT Sports: ‘Does Luis Enrique deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola? The answer is yes.
‘This team he has created and put together over the past year or two can beat you in any given way.
‘The talent across this squad – it is a special group of players and they’re getting coached by a special person as well.’
Meanwhile, Salah recently discussed his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, admitting he used to be obsessed with the prospect of landing the gong.
‘It used to drive me crazy before,’ Salah, who has signed a new deal to stay at Anfield, told Sky Sports. ‘Some stuff is not in your hands so you give up in that direction.
‘When you go to work you remind yourself what you want to achieve in the season so it drives you to work harder.
‘I’d love to win it one day. But if it didn’t happen, it’s okay. I’m sure there’s a good chance to win it this year, but we’ll see.’
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