Mohamed Salah continues to showcase outstanding performances with Liverpool this season. Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand even considers Salah a strong candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, especially if Liverpool triumphs in the Champions League.
Salah’s Consistent Performance
Throughout this season, Salah has scored 30 goals and provided 22 assists in all competitions. His sharpness has been crucial to Liverpool’s success, as they currently lead the Premier League table with a 13-point advantage over their closest rivals.
Ahead of the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Ferdinand emphasized that Salah deserves to be at the top of the Ballon d’Or nominations. However, he stressed that success in the Champions League would be the key factor in determining the prestigious individual award.
Champions League as a Decisive Factor for the Ballon d’Or
Rio Ferdinand has no doubts about placing Mohamed Salah among the best players in the world right now. According to him, Salah’s consistent performances this season make him a worthy contender for the Ballon d’Or.
However, Ferdinand also highlighted that winning the Champions League would be a crucial factor. History shows that players who shine in the knockout stages and reach the final of the Champions League often become frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or.
“Right now, I don’t see any other player at his level. But everything can change depending on performances in the Champions League knockout rounds,” said Ferdinand.
A Big Challenge in the Champions League
Mohamed Salah faces a tough test as Liverpool travels to face PSG at the Parc des Princes. This match is considered a crucial moment for Salah to prove his quality on the big stage and further strengthen his chances in the Ballon d’Or race.
Besides Salah, Ferdinand also mentioned several other players who could be strong contenders for the Ballon d’Or, such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Jude Bellingham. According to him, performances in decisive matches, especially in the Champions League knockout stages, will be a major factor in the final assessment.
“Whoever performs consistently in the Champions League semifinals and final will become the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or. If Liverpool wins, I’m sure Salah will play a major role,” added Ferdinand.
Arne Slot’s Support for Salah
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also expressed his full support for Mohamed Salah in the Ballon d’Or race. Slot emphasized that Salah’s extraordinary performances this season deserve high recognition.
However, Slot also reminded that both Salah and Liverpool must win trophies to make the individual award a reality. He sees this as a big challenge for Salah and the entire Liverpool squad.
“It’s great that Mo is part of the Ballon d’Or conversation because it means he and our team are performing well. But to stay in the discussion, he must maintain his form and win trophies,” said Slot.
Mohamed Salah is on the right path to becoming a strong candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. With his impressive performances throughout the season, he has proven himself worthy of competing with the world’s best players. However, Liverpool’s success in the Champions League will be the ultimate deciding factor in his quest for the prestigious award.
