Mohamed Salah was the unanimous choice for the 2025 Ballon d’Or among the CBS Sports panel of former Premier League stars.
Ahead of Wednesday’s slate of Champions League matches, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards had their say on the likely winner of the prize in October.
Last season’s winner Rodri, stood alone on stage as he received the prestigious honour following Real Madrid’s sensational boycott of the ceremony after discovering that Vinicius Jr had been overlooked.
Richards, shared the view that the snub could count in the Brazilian’s favour this time around. But he was ultimately in agreement with Henry and Carragher that Salah should take the gong, if he keeps up his extraordinary level of production.
‘I’m with Jamie,’ said Henry after the Reds legend put forward the Egyptian. ‘If he carries on like this he wins for sure.’
The 32-year-old is the favourite among the bookies to become only the second African footballer to win the prize thanks to his startling form this campaign.
(L-R) Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards were in agreement over who should win the Ballon d’Or
Mohamed Salah is the bookies favourite to win the Ballon d’Or after his startling performances this season
Manchester City star Rodri took home the prize last year after helping Manchester City win the Premier League and Spain the European Championship
Salah leads the Premier League for goals and assists with 21 and 13, respectively. It gives him a staggering 34 goal contributions from just 23 top flight matches.
The Reds enjoy a commanding advantage at the top of the league and have the chance to extend their lead over Arsenal to nine points with a win in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot’s side are also the favourites to win the Champions League after topping the League Phase with seven wins from their eight matches.
However, hopes of securing an extraordinary quadruple were dashed on Sunday afternoon when the Reds suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup.
Still, in addition to their form in the league and in the Europe, the Reds have the chance to claim the first major honour of the season when they take on Newcastle in the final of the Carabao Cup next month.
Salah is one of three Liverpool stars out of contract at the end of the season. The forward has made various comments indicating that this will be his final year at Anfield and close friend and former Reds team-mate Dejan Lovren even claimed the club have not shown Salah enough respect during negotiations.
There has been no word from the manager or the club on the ongoing contractual situation.
Liverpool fans will hope that their talisman – the club’s fourth-highest goalscorer – will remain beyond the end of the term.
