Football legend Gary Lineker has offered his thoughts on the tightly contested race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, highlighting Mohamed Salah as a potential contender.
Speaking on his podcast, The Rest Is Football, Lineker acknowledged that while the Egyptian has had a remarkable season, the final stages of the campaign will be crucial in determining the award’s winner.
Salah, often referred to as the “Egyptian King,” has enjoyed a stellar season at Liverpool, scoring 33 goals and providing 23 assists so far this season in 49 games.
However, the Reds’ exit from both domestic cups and the Champions League may weaken his bid, given the importance of silverware in the award’s voting.
Lineker noted, “It’s still too early to say obviously, because this is done for the end of the year. So I suppose it does depend who wins the Champions League.”
He added that if Paris Saint-Germain go on to win the tournament, Ousmane Dembele could have a strong chance.
However, he also suggested that Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who have already secured the Copa del Rey and are on course for the La Liga title, remain strong contenders.
Reflecting on Salah’s chances, Lineker remarked, “What he’s done this season definitely has to be in contention… but it’s tough to call at the moment. Somebody might sparkle in the Champions League final and blow us all away.”
Salah, who has made the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist every year since joining Liverpool in 2017, could become the first African winner since George Weah in 1995 if the cards fall in his favor.
