Liverpool star backs Ousmane Dembélé over Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to win Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Liverpool star Ibrahima Konaté has this week thrown his backing behind fellow countryman Ousmane Dembélé, amid the ongoing race for the Ballon d’Or.

The subject of the next Golden Ball has of course taken its place centre stage in the media chatter across Europe once more over recent days.

This comes after Paris Saint-Germain’s maiden Champions League triumph culminated in a new leader being crowned in the race to be named world football’s best player.

The individual in question? Ousmane Dembélé.

After enjoying a spectacular campaign with PSG in 2024/25, and notching a pair of assists in the Champions League final, the winger has taken over top spot on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

Dembélé’s surge comes at the expense of Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal, considered the previous frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or.

And as alluded to above, one individual of the opinion that the former should indeed be considered the no.1 contender for the prestigious prize comes in the form of Ibrahima Konaté.

Speaking to the media whilst on international duty with France this week, Liverpool defender Konaté explained:

“There has been a lot of talk about Lamine Yamal, about Kylian Mbappé… But for me, honestly, Ousmane Dembélé deserves the Ballon d’Or. Dembélé has had an exceptional season. I have no words. No one expected it to be like that.”

Conor Laird – GSFN