Reader TTS

GARY LINEKER AND ALAN SHEARER HAVE COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON WHO SHOULD BE THE FAVOURITE TO WIN THIS SEASON'S COVETED BALLON D'OR - AND IT ISN'T LIVERPOOL TALISMAN MOHAMED SALAH

BEN CRAWFORD GAU Writer 12:02, 02 Jun 2025 This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer

agree that Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele is favourite to win this season's Ballon d'Or, not Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. Les Parisiens made a procession out of

this term's Champions League final, beating Inter Milan 5-0 to affirm their spot as Europe's top side when they're at full throttle. They bested three English teams on their

way to Munich, including the Reds, who were sent packing on penalties in March. The focal point of PSG's play is their lightning-fast and skilful counterattacking, led by the likes of

Achraf Hakimi, final hero Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and top-goalscorer Dembele. Dembele has 33 goals in all competitions this season and has been pivotal to PSG's success, both

at home and on the continent. Both Lineker and Shearer think he should be favourite to be crowned the Ballon d'Or winner, as opposed to Premier League top-goalscorer and champion

Salah. "We have to come to the inevitable question these days about the Ballon d'Or," began Lineker, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside co-host Shearer.

"It's obviously hugely influenced by the side that wins the Champions League final, but in some way, because of the nature of PSG's teamwork, it doesn't come down to one

individual. "I mean, you could probably give it to quite a few of their particular players, but I suppose Dembele will be favourite. He had a couple of really good moments [in the

final]. "He didn't get his goal, but he was very involved in some of the goals, one assist and a pre-assist or something - one of two of those as well. "So, I think he'll

probably be favourite now. I mean, [Gianluigi] Donnarumma, as a goalkeeper, might have a slight chance, but goalkeepers [rarely win such awards]. Or even Hakimi." Shearer replied:

"Yeah, I would guess that Demeble, even though he didn't get his goal, would be probably the favourite for it, wouldn't he? There is a few in that team that could be in with a

shout for it." "The two full-backs are absolutely fabulous, aren't they. I mean, gee whiz," quipped Lineker, with Shearer retorting: "The way that PSG play,

they've got the freedom to go forward. "You just look at Hakimi's record, in the quarters, semis and final, all scoring. I mean that sort of tells you. They are as good as any

in world football at what they do. They are an exceptional team." Article continues below Shearer went on to discuss the French club's potential transfer activity over the summer,

admitting that any player who does arrive at the Parc des Princes will have a tall task in breaking into Luis Enrique's first team. "I mean, whoever they recruit this summer, if

they do - I would imagine they are gonna get one or two in," continued Shearer. "They are going to have to be exceptional talents, exceptional players to get into that first

eleven."