Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory on Saturday may have harmed Mohamed Salah ’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, claims Gary Lineker.
PSG’s resounding 5-0 win over Inter Milan secured a first European crown and wrapped up a treble for Luis Enrique’s side. It means PSG’s star names will be among the frontrunners to claim the biggest individual prize in the game.
Salah’s name has been touted as a Ballon d’Or hopeful all season, but Liverpool winning just one trophy will have certainly impacted his chances, as will the 32-year-old’s own personal form, which tailed off in the final two months of the campaign.
For that reason, Lineker thinks Ousmane Dembele, the star performer in the PSG side, could win this season’s Ballon d’Or.
“We have to come to the inevitable question of the Ballon d’Or,” the recently departed Match of the Day host 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.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.
Rodri of Manchester City holds his ballon d'or award prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Salah is hopeful of winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or. (Image: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
“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.
“[Gianluigi] Donnaruma might have a slight chance but goalkeepers rarely get it. Maybe [Achraf] Hakimi as well.”
Dembele has played a central role in PSG’s season, particularly since its winter revival. In 49 appearances, Dembele registered 33 goals and 15 assists for PSG and set up two goals in Saturday’s final.
The Frenchman also provided a goal or an assist in PSG’s last six Champions League games, even if his form domestically dropped off after the Ligue 1 title was confirmed. Dembele didn’t score in any of PSG’s final eight league matches and registered just one assist, although he did sit out three of those games.
Marquinhos lifts the Champions League trophy.
PSG earned its first Champions League triumph thanks to a 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final.
Similarly, with Liverpool’s name all but on the Premier League trophy, Salah’s contribution in Liverpool’s final nine games amounted to just two goals and an assist. He did manage 57 goal involvements in 52 appearances this season, a better tally than Dembele.
But his Champions League input may hurt the Egyptian, who only scored three in nine European appearances. Dembele, in contrast, managed eight from 15 games.
The former Barcelona man is now favorite to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with Lamine Yamal second and Salah in third place, according to the bookmakers.
Both Dembele could enhance their chances with victory in this week’s Nations League finals, which involves Spain and France, while Dembele could add the Club World Cup to his list of honors still, an option not available for Salah and Yamal given neither Liverpool nor Barcelona will compete in the US-based tournament.