Mohamed Salah has been told he is one just two players capable of winning the Ballon d’Or this season. The Egyptian forward is in the middle of a sensational season with Liverpool. The 32-year-old has scored 26 goals and notched 18 assists this term, with the Reds challenging for the Premier League and Champions League under Arne Slot. The Merseysiders are also in the Carabao Cup final, meaning they have an opportunity to lift three individual pieces of silverware come the end of the season. And it has been suggested that Salah will immediately be at the forefront for the Ballon d’Or should that happen.
Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and Micah Richards were given the task on giving early predictions. And unsurprisingly, the Liverpool icon was in little doubt as he selected Salah. And while Henry and Richards were in full agreement, they suggested one potential caveat. The Frenchman added: “I’m with Jamie, yeah. If he carries on like that, yeah. If he carries on like that.”. The ex-Man City star replied: “He [Salah] is my mate but maybe Vinicius… Yeah, probably Salah as well,” with Henry suggesting: “It depends on what they win so it’s a tough one.”.
Richards then agreed it would be between Salah or Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian will certainly be keen to secure the award for the first time this season. He was also among the favourites last term only to be narrowly beaten by Manchester City’s Rodri - a decision that led to Real Madrid boycotting the glitzy ceremony. And there has been ongoing controversy since. Who will win this year's Ballon d'Or? Share your predictions in the comments below.
City fans attempted to poke fun at the forward during Tuesday evening’s Champions League playoff clash. They unfurled a banner with Rodri claiming the Ballon d’Or with the caption reading: “Stop crying your heart out”. But it was the Spanish giants who got the last laugh as they came from behind late on to secure victory ahead of next week’s second leg at the Bernabeu. And Vinicius - man of the match during the game - has since claimed that the banner motivated him further to turn in an eye-catching performance.
He said: "I saw the banner, but when opposition fans do things it always gives me more strength to play a great game and here I did that. City know our history and everything we've done in this competition.". Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
