Ibrahima Konate snubs Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah for Ballon d'Or pick as he backs France colleague to scoop top prize

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.

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.

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."

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.