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.

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.



In 49 appearances, Dembele registered 33 goals and 15 assists for PSG and set up two goals in Saturday’s final.

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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.

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

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.