Latest news with #Dembele
Metro
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Gary Lineker names his ‘favourite' to win Ballon d'Or ahead of Mohamed Salah
Gary Lineker has named his 'favourite' to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah. Despite intense speculation over a departure from Anfield, Salah enjoyed arguably his best season at the club, scoring a league best 29 goals in the Premier League. Salah's form helped Arne Slot's Liverpool clinch the Premier League title and led to calls for the Egyptian to bag his first Ballon d'Or award, given to the best footballer in the world over the past year. But Lineker believes Salah, 32, will be left disappointed yet again and has tipped Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League winner Ousmane Dembele to be recognised as the best player on the planet. Dembele starred in PSG's maiden Champions League triumph and also helped Luis Enrique's side clinch a domestic double, scoring 33 goals in all competitions. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'We have to come to the inevitable question of the Ballon d'Or,' ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. 'It's obviously hugely influenced generally by the team that wins the Champions League. But in some ways because of the nature of PSG's teamwork it doesn't come down to one individual. 'You could probably give it to quite a few of their players. I suppose Dembele will be the favourite. He had a couple of really good moments in the final despite not getting a goal. 'He was very involved in quite a few of the goals, one assist and maybe a pre-assist as well. I think he will probably be favourite now. 'Donnaruma might have a slight chance but goalkeepers rarely get it. Maybe Hakimi as well.' Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer added: 'I would guess Dembele, he would probably be the favourite for it now.' PSG beat Premier League clubs Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on route to the final and then thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 to lift the trophy. Following the final, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said on TNT Sports: 'Does Luis Enrique deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola? The answer is yes. 'This team he has created and put together over the past year or two can beat you in any given way. 'The talent across this squad – it is a special group of players and they're getting coached by a special person as well.' More Trending Meanwhile, Salah recently discussed his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, admitting he used to be obsessed with the prospect of landing the gong. 'It used to drive me crazy before,' Salah, who has signed a new deal to stay at Anfield, told Sky Sports. 'Some stuff is not in your hands so you give up in that direction. 'When you go to work you remind yourself what you want to achieve in the season so it drives you to work harder. 'I'd love to win it one day. But if it didn't happen, it's okay. I'm sure there's a good chance to win it this year, but we'll see.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Reason Gary Lineker's final interview with Mohamed Salah was 'scrapped' revealed MORE: Rio Ferdinand says it 'hurts' that Man Utd were beaten to £29.5m signing by bitter rivals MORE: Liverpool fans fear £37m star is leaving after girlfriend's social media post
Ammon
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Ammon
Ousmane Dembélé named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season
Ammon News - Ousmane Dembele has capped off a sensational season with Paris Saint-Germain by being named UEFA Men's Player of the Season after inspiring the French giants to a stunning in the Champions League final in Munich. PSG were crowned European champions for the first time after a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan—the largest winning margin ever seen in a final of Europe's elite club competition. Dembele endured a difficult start to the campaign, even being dropped by coach Luis Enrique for a group stage clash with Arsenal due to disciplinary issues. However, the 28-year-old turned his season around after being moved into a more central role, going on to score eight goals in the Champions League. Although Dembele didn't get on the scoresheet during PSG's emphatic win over Inter Milan, he registered two assists and was praised by Luis Enrique as one of the standout displays of the night. 'I would give the Ballon d'Or to Mr. Ousmane Dembele,' Enrique said. 'The way he defended tonight, just that alone could be worth the Ballon d'Or. That's how you lead a team. Goals, trophies, leadership, defence, his pressing.' Daily Mail
Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
PSG boss Enrique backs Dembele for Ballon d'Or
PA Media/dpa London Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has backed Ousmane Dembele to win the Ballon d'Or after he helped inspire the French club's maiden Champions League success. Dembele did not score in Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan but he set up two goals and produced a superb flick in the build up to PSG's third. The former Barcelona attacker has 33 goals in all competitions this campaign, with 22 of them coming in this calendar year to help the Parisians add the Champions League to Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles. Luis Enrique dropped Dembele in October for a defeat away to Arsenal and the forward was sent off a month later at Bayern Munich, but he responded supremely to achieve his best scoring season to date and become favourite with bookmakers for the Ballon d'Or. While Dembele was happy to play down the accolade ahead of Saturday's match, his manager championed the 28-year-old following a one-sided final. 'I would like to say that everyone is talking about the Ballon d'Or but I would give it to Ousmane Dembele,' Enrique told a press conference. 'If we think about how he defended, he showed just what he was made of. He was a leader, he was humble, he got back down and defended. I think without a shadow of doubt, he deserves this. 'Not only for the goals that he scored but also for the pressing we saw. We have seen such a season from him and he was exceptional in this final.' Dembele will get the chance to further press his claim later this month when PSG take part in the Club World Cup in America. Even though Enrique's team will get hardly any rest, he plans to add the continental cup to their Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions successes.
Glasgow Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Luis Enrique backs Ousmane Dembele for Ballon d'Or after PSG's European glory
Dembele did not score in Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan but he set up two goals and produced a superb flick in the build up to PSG's third. The former Barcelona attacker has 33 goals in all competitions this campaign, with 22 of them coming in this calendar year to help the Parisians add the Champions League to Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles. Luis Enrique dropped Dembele in October for a defeat away to Arsenal and the forward was sent off a month later at Bayern Munich, but he responded supremely to achieve his best scoring season to date and become favourite with bookmakers for the Ballon d'Or. While Dembele was happy to play down the accolade ahead of Saturday's match, his manager championed the 28-year-old following a one-sided final. 'I would like to say that everyone is talking about the Ballon d'Or but I would give it to Ousmane Dembele,' Enrique told a press conference. 'If we think about how he defended, he showed just what he was made of. He was a leader, he was humble, he got back down and defended. I think without a shadow of doubt, he deserves this. Ousmane Dembele played a supporting role in Paris St Germain's resounding victory (Mike Egerton/PA) 'Not only for the goals that he scored but also for the pressing we saw. We have seen such a season from him and he was exceptional in this final.' Dembele will get the chance to further press his claim later this month when PSG take part in the Club World Cup in America. Even though Enrique's team will get hardly any rest, he plans to add the continental cup to their Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions successes. Enrique added: 'I think it is an incredible competition. Maybe not now it's a first edition, but it will become an incredibly important title to win. 'I think the fact the best teams in the world are going to meet every four years and not with nations teams but clubs is incredible. 'We want to finish the season in style and I guess it would be the cherry on the cake. This would be the fifth trophy of the season if we are able to pull it off.' Two-goal hero Desire Doue is one of several young starlets at PSG and Enrique sent an ominous warning to the rest of Europe. Desire Doue played a starring role (Mike Egerton/PA) The Spaniard said: 'My first day at the PSG campus when I had my first press conference and my French was even worse than it is today, I said the ultimate goal for me and us was to fill the trophy cabinet. 'I said the only trophy that was missing was the Champions League and here we are. 'We have ticked that box, we were ambitious and we are going to continue to conquer the footballing world.'
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue land Champions League awards after PSG triumph - as one Premier League star makes team of the season
Ousmane Dembele has capped off a sensational season with Paris Saint-Germain by being named UEFA Men's Player of the Season after inspiring the French giants to a stunning in the Champions League final in Munich. PSG were crowned European champions for the first time after a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan—the largest winning margin ever seen in a final of Europe's elite club competition. Dembele endured a difficult start to the campaign, even being dropped by coach Luis Enrique for a group stage clash with Arsenal due to disciplinary issues. However, the 28-year-old turned his season around after being moved into a more central role, going on to score eight goals in the Champions League. Although Dembele didn't get on the scoresheet during PSG's emphatic win over Inter Milan, he registered two assists and was praised by Luis Enrique as one of the standout displays of the night. 'I would give the Ballon d'Or to Mr. Ousmane Dembele,' Enrique said. 'The way he defended tonight, just that alone could be worth the Ballon d'Or. That's how you lead a team. Goals, trophies, leadership, defence, his pressing.' Meanwhile, Dembele's PSG team-mate Doue has been named UEFA Men's Young player of the Season after his impressive display in Munich. The 19-year-old capped off his outstanding campaign by setting up the opening goal for Achraf Hakimi in the final, before adding two goals of his own. Dembele and Doue are two of seven PSG players that have been named in UEFA'S Team of the season, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha also making the cut. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been named in the side too after a memorable campaign. The England international scored four goals, including two free-kicks in the quarter-final against Real Madrid. Barcelona pair Raphinha and Lamine Yamal make up the rest of the team alongside Inter's Alessandro Bastoni.
