Ibrahima Konate snubbed Liverpool colleague Mohamed Salah as he backed compatriot Ousmane Dembele to win Ballon d'Or.

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• Konate backed Dembele to win the Ballon d'Or
• Snubbed Liverpool colleague Salah
• Yamal and Raphinha also in the race for Golden Ball

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dembele and Salah, along with Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, are being considered as frontrunners to win the Ballon d'Or this year after enduring brilliant campaigns for their respective clubs. Dembele won his first Champions League with Paris-Saint Germain and a treble, while Salah played a key role in Liverpool winning the English top division title for a record-equalling 20th time. Yamal and Raphina, on the other hand, helped Barcelona win a domestic treble.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As discussions are starting to grow around who would be the next Ballon d'Or winner after Rodri, Reds defender Konate made his choice very clear. The Frenchman hailed his compatriot Dembele for the marvellous season he enjoyed in Paris and claimed that the winger was the clear winner for him.

• WHAT IBRAHIMA KONATE SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Konate said: "We talk about Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe… But no one talks about Ousmane Dembele. He has delivered an exceptional season. I have honestly no other words to describe it. Nobody expected it. I’m the happiest man for him. In all honesty, the most deserving Ballon d’Or winner is Ousmane Dembele."

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR IBRAHIMA KONATE?

  The 26-year-old centre-back is expected to feature in Didier Deschamps' starting lineup as France take on Spain in the Nations League semi-final on Thursday in Stuttgart.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News