Luis Enrique Backs PSG Star to Win the Ballon d’Or Ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah | OneFootball

Luis Enrique Champions Dembele for Ballon d’Or as Salah Stakes His Claim

As the curtain fell on the 2024–25 European football season with Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 5-0 dismantling of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, thoughts naturally turned to individual accolades, none more significant than the Ballon d’Or. For PSG boss Luis Enrique, the choice is clear. In the afterglow of a historic night in Munich, he made an impassioned case for Ousmane Dembele, while Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah remains very much in the running.

Liverpool’s Rise under Slot Offers Renewed Hope

Liverpool’s campaign, though halted earlier than they would have liked, cannot be dismissed. Pushed to the edge in a last-16 battle with PSG, the Reds took the eventual champions to penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw, showcasing the tactical nous and steel instilled by Arne Slot in his debut season.

Fresh off a Premier League title win, Slot’s Liverpool are clearly on an upward curve. The balance between high-octane pressing and disciplined possession play was evident even in defeat. One could argue that had Liverpool edged that tie, the trajectory of the Ballon d’Or conversation might now favour Salah more strongly.

Photo: IMAGO

Indeed, Salah’s numbers speak for themselves: 52 appearances, 34 goals, 23 assists, and a league title. Such output, particularly in one of Europe’s most competitive domestic leagues, demands respect.

Enrique’s Backing of Dembele Reflects PSG’s Dominant Season

Yet for Luis Enrique, the spotlight belongs to someone else. “Everyone’s talking about the Ballon d’Or, but I would give it to Ousmane Dembele,” he said after PSG’s crowning moment.

“The way he defended tonight, he was a leader, he was humble, he got back down and defended. And I think without a shadow of a doubt he deserves it. Not only for the goals he scored, but the pressing that we saw. We’ve seen such a season from him and he was exceptional in this final.”

Dembele’s numbers are strong: 49 appearances, 33 goals, 13 assists, and a treble that includes Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and now the Champions League. The Frenchman’s relentless work rate and commitment in big matches have clearly earned his manager’s admiration.

Photo: IMAGO

How the Ballon d’Or Race Could Still Shift

There’s one factor yet to fully enter the conversation: the Club World Cup. PSG are set to compete, while Liverpool and Salah are not. Should PSG go on to be crowned world champions, it would significantly enhance their case for Ballon d’Or recognition, especially if Dembele plays a starring role.

However, the decision is far from straightforward. While Dembele’s contribution has been enormous, PSG’s success has been collective. He wasn’t always the standout performer in their knockout run. Players like Vitinha, Mbappe, and Ugarte also shone, particularly in high-stakes moments. The risk here is that Dembele might feel like a ‘best of the rest’ choice rather than an undisputed world-beater.

Salah, on the other hand, was the undisputed spearhead of Liverpool’s attack. His leadership, consistency, and elite end-product lifted a developing squad to the summit of English football in Slot’s very first season.

Final thoughts

It’s undeniable that PSG, and by extension Luis Enrique, have a stronger team resume this year. But individual honours are often about moments, stories, and perception. Dembele has the silverware, but Salah has the narrative — the veteran still delivering at elite level, redefining himself in a team that’s just beginning to mature.

France Football will have a tough decision. And while Enrique is free to campaign for his man, Salah’s case remains compelling. This Ballon d’Or race is anything but over.