Gary Lineker has named Mohamed Salah, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembélé as leading contenders for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, while stressing that the final stages of the season will be decisive in determining the winner of football’s most prestigious individual honour.
Speaking on his popular podcast The Rest Is Football, the former England striker and respected pundit offered his thoughts on the evolving Ballon d’Or landscape.
While acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the award, Lineker pointed to the significance of the season’s remaining fixtures—particularly the Champions League.
“It’s still too early to say, obviously, because it’s decided at the end of the year. I suppose it will depend on who wins the Champions League,” he said.
Lineker believes Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé could significantly bolster his chances if his club secures the Champions League title.
The French international has played a pivotal role in PSG’s European campaign, and a triumph on the continental stage could elevate him to frontrunner status.
At the same time, Barcelona’s young sensation Lamine Yamal has impressed throughout the season, with Lineker suggesting that both Yamal and his teammate Raphinha could enter serious contention should the Catalan giants secure a domestic double.
Barcelona, having already lifted the Copa del Rey, remain in a strong position in La Liga, although an upcoming El Clasico clash could prove decisive.
“However,” Lineker noted, “he doesn’t rule out Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, especially if their team manages to achieve the double.”
Mohamed Salah, too, earned Lineker’s endorsement as a credible candidate.
The Liverpool forward has delivered consistently high-level performances this season, continuing to be a key figure for the Reds in both domestic and European competitions.
Lineker stressed that the Ballon d’Or race remains open and warned that a standout performance in the Champions League final could tilt the balance in favour of an unexpected name.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” he concluded, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football and the potential for late-season heroics to sway voters.
With the football calendar heading into its most critical phase, Lineker’s analysis reflects the uncertainty and excitement that continues to define the Ballon d’Or conversation.
As the final whistle draws near on the 2023 campaign, the race for the golden trophy remains wide open.
