Konate Backs Dembele Over Salah for 2025 Ballon d'Or

Ibrahima Konate has stirred debate by endorsing Ousmane Dembele over Mohamed Salah for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, praising Dembele's exceptional season at Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped secure the club’s first Champions League title. Konate highlighted Dembele's overlooked contributions, calling him the most deserving candidate despite Liverpool fans' strong support for Salah, who set records with 34 goals and 23 assists leading Liverpool to the Premier League title. France's head coach Didier Deschamps also backs Dembele for the award, emphasizing his outstanding campaign and Champions League player of the season honor, while acknowledging the competition from Spain's Lamine Yamal. Konate acknowledged the challenge posed by Yamal and Spain's talent but stressed the importance of team cohesion and strategy. Salah and Dembele remain the leading contenders, with Barcelona’s Yamal and Raphinha also in contention for the prestigious individual accolade. The upcoming Nations League semifinal between France and Spain is seen as a critical stage for these players to strengthen their Ballon d'Or claims.