Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate backs Dembele to win Ballon d'Or ahead of Salah

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has backed Paris Saint-Germain star and fellow countryman Ousmane Dembele to win the Ballon d’Or, ignoring team-mate Mohammed Salah.

Konate has snubbed Salah to win Europe’s prestigious individual award, throwing his weight behind Dembele, following a starring performance in the 2024/25 season that ended with the former Barcelona forward winning it all.

Dembele and Salah, along with Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, are being considered as frontrunners to win the Ballon d’Or this year after capping brilliant campaigns for their respective clubs.

Dembele won his first, and the most elusive Champions League trophy in the history of Paris-Saint Germain, and a treble in the French Ligue 1, placing him in contention to win the prestigious French Magazine award.

Salah also played a key role in Liverpool winning the English top-flight title for a record-equalling 20th time.

Yamal and Raphina, on the other hand, helped Barcelona win a domestic treble, having failed to progress to the final of the Champions League against runners-up Inter Milan.

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Image credit: Getty Images

As the football world now seeks a successor for the next Ballon d’Or winner after Rodri, Reds defender Konate made his choice known.

The Frenchman has sung praise for his compatriot Dembele for the marvellous season he enjoyed in the French capital and claimed that the winger was the clear winner for him.

Speaking to reporters, Konate said: “We talk about Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe… But no one talks about Ousmane Dembele.

“He has delivered an exceptional season. I have honestly no other words to describe it. Nobody expected it.

“I’m the happiest man for him. In all honesty, the most deserving Ballon d’Or winner is Ousmane Dembele.”

Dembele scored 33 goals and provided 15 assists across all competitions. These include 21 goals and 6 assists in Ligue 1 and 8 goals and 6 assists in the Champions League.

After a remarkable performance in the Champions League that could not be overlooked, the former Borussia Dortmund forward received the award for UEFA Best Player for his role in helping the Parisians win their first European title.

The 28-year-old is expected to feature in Didier Deschamps’ starting lineup as France take on Spain in the Nations League semi-final on Thursday in Stuttgart.