The Champions League final in Munich on Saturday night will see Paris Saint-Germain face Inter Milan, with the winner taking the crown of Europe’s top club competition. Both teams have impressed this season, knocking out big names such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona. Inter Milan aims for their fourth Champions League title, while PSG is chasing a historic first and the chance to complete a treble after winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.
Gary Lineker has weighed in with his prediction, backing PSG to triumph 2-0 and describing this season as a year of underdogs. He referenced past surprising wins like Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years, suggesting that PSG might be the next to break through. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he highlighted the standout performances of PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, an Italian facing his compatriots in Inter.
Donnarumma has been a key figure in PSG’s run, delivering exceptional performances and keeping 11 clean sheets while conceding 39 goals in 39 games across all competitions. Lineker praised his agility and shot-stopping ability, mentioning a remarkable save against Martin Odegaard. His strong displays have sparked speculation about whether a goalkeeper could win the Ballon d’Or this year.
The Ballon d’Or race is wide open, with several top players vying for the title. PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are all frontrunners. Donnarumma has also been mentioned, with Lineker asking if a goalkeeper might claim the prestigious award, although he joked that goalkeepers often get in the way of goal scorers.
Historically, defensive players and goalkeepers have had little success in Ballon d’Or voting. The last defender to win was Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, and Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have taken the honor, back in 1963. Despite the odds, Donnarumma’s stellar season and the Champions League final performance could influence voters if PSG lifts the trophy.