Ibrahima Konaté has seen his reputation suffer markedly over the past year. Once the subject of strong interest from Real Madrid, who were reportedly set to replicate the Trent Alexander-Arnold trick by signing the Liverpool defender on a free transfer next summer when his contract expires, Madrid have now pulled out of the race.

The 26-year-old’s recent form has been described as largely dismal, with only a smattering of competent displays. Amid Liverpool’s ongoing disaster this season, he has been identified among those most culpable. Transfer talk appears to have distracted him and his future at Anfield is uncertain.

Two destinations emerge as the most likely options given the facts publicly reported.

Bayern Munich remain a plausible suitor. The Bundesliga champions have already taken Luis Díaz from Liverpool and that summer signing has settled in well in Bavaria. Bayern were tentatively linked with Konaté while Real Madrid showed interest. The attraction of acquiring a centre back approaching his peak years on a free transfer would be obvious. Whether Bayern need another central defender is debatable. Their current options include Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito, Jonathan Tah and Kim Min-jae, while Josip Stanišić can operate in the position. Upamecano has been linked with a Bayern exit amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid, a development that could intensify Bayern’s focus on Konaté if the French centre back departs.

A return to France also makes sense. Paris-born Konaté has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, the club that would be unlikely to struggle with any salary demands. He spent time in his youth with Paris FC and brings Champions League, Premier League and major international experience. PSG are well stocked at centre back after signing Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth for just under £55 million ($72.8 million) last summer alongside Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernández and Lucas Beraldo. Whether Luis Enrique’s squad needs another centre back is uncertain, but PSG appear the most probable suitor if Konaté leaves Liverpool.

For now Konaté remains under contract and the coming months will determine whether either Bayern or PSG move to capitalize on a situation that began with Real Madrid’s withdrawal.

Achraf Hakimi was named 2025 African Footballer of the Year, a result that left Mohamed Salah disappointed after the Liverpool forward had been the continent’s highest-ranked player in the recent Ballon d’Or ballot. The women’s prize went to Ghizlane Chebbak, who top scored at the delayed 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and helped her team finish as runners-up.

Salah’s 2024–25 was one of the most prolific individual campaigns in English football. The forward recorded 29 Premier League goals and 18 assists in 38 appearances as he led Liverpool’s push toward only a second title in 35 years. Liverpool, however, fell short in both domestic cup competitions and were eliminated from the Champions League at the round of 16 by Hakimi’s Paris Saint-Germain.

In September’s Ballon d’Or voting Salah was fourth, behind Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal and Vitinha. Barcelona’s Raphinha followed him, with Hakimi in sixth place. Hakimi’s personal numbers and team success in 2024–25 were cited as decisive. The Paris Saint-Germain full back played 55 times across competitions as PSG completed a Ligue 1, Couple de France and Champions League treble. Hakimi’s season produced 11 goals and 16 assists, his most productive campaign to date.

CAF voters clearly placed significant weight on continental club success, with Champions League victory likely the deciding factor. On stage receiving his award, the Madrid-born player raised in a Moroccan household said: “It’s really an honour for me to win this prestigious trophy. This trophy is not just for me—it is for all the Africans that have dreams.”

Off the pitch, Salah has also endured criticism in the same week. A German media report accused him of holding back £116 million ($151.8 million) summer signing Florian Wirtz. Wirtz, who starred away from the Liverpool spotlight in Germany’s 6–0 win over Slovakia to secure automatic World Cup qualification, has struggled since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen and was branded a “little boy” by Gary Neville after a defeat to Manchester City. German publication Sport Bild wrote: “It’s noticeable that he’s overlooked Wirtz and hasn’t made any of the other summer signings, who together cost around half a billion euros, shine.” Sport Bild added: “Salah has provided three assists this season, all of which led to goals, all for players who have been with the club longer. Salah is increasingly becoming a major problem for Liverpool and Wirtz. He is the king of the champions, seemingly blocking their successful new beginning. And thus, the future of his successor as the attacking leader: Wirtz.”

The 2026 Ballon d’Or conversation is already underway despite the trophy having just been awarded. Three different winners have emerged in the past four years, and next summer’s World Cup in North America will be decisive for many candidates.

Defenders remain rare winners, but Gabriel merits consideration after anchoring Arsenal’s rearguard alongside William Saliba while contributing goals and assists. If Arsenal end a long trophy drought and Brazil succeed at the World Cup with Gabriel central to that campaign, he could enter the debate.

Luis Díaz has left Liverpool and settled quickly at Bayern Munich, where his work rate and goalscoring have made him a fan favorite. Bayern look set to dominate domestically and will expect Díaz to play a major role in any Champions League push, though clubmates Michael Olise and Harry Kane present stiff competition for top individual honours.

Mohamed Salah has not reproduced last season’s extraordinary numbers and has struggled early in 2025–26. Liverpool’s summer recruitment has diversified Arne Slot’s attack, and Salah has not matched last season’s heights. A strong second half and international success at the Africa Cup of Nations could revive his claim.

Vitinha was third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or for his role in Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic and European run. He remains PSG’s tempo-setter and a key figure for Portugal, who will be among the World Cup contenders.

Bukayo Saka is central to Arsenal’s promising season and is a guaranteed starter for England at the World Cup. If Arsenal collect multiple trophies he will be prominent in awards discussions.

Lionel Messi could re-emerge as a frontrunner only if he inspires Argentina to retain the World Cup, a feat not achieved since Brazil in 1962. Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Pedri, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Yamal and Kylian Mbappé each have clear pathways laid out through club form and potential international success. Some face fitness issues or strong competition for votes, others need exceptional tournament performances.

“Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football…” Rodri said after claiming the prize in 2024, “…for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like [Andrés] Iniesta, Xavi [Hernández], Iker [Casillas], Sergio Busquets, so many others. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder.”

Between domestic trophies and World Cup displays, the next year should clarify who will arrive in Paris as the front-runner.