Overview

• Ibrahima Konate publicly named Ousmane Dembélé the “most deserving” Ballon d’Or candidate, overlooking Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah.
• Dembélé finished the season with 33 goals and 15 assists, playing a pivotal role in PSG’s Champions League victory.
• Salah’s campaign yielded 34 goals and 23 assists as he led Liverpool to the Premier League title and secured both the Golden Boot and Playmaker awards.
• Following PSG’s European success, bookmakers list Dembélé as the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or, with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal second and Salah third.
• Konate dismissed suggestions his endorsement was revenge-driven, stressing that his choice was based solely on merit.