Arsenal great Robert Pires has voiced his displeasure with the Ballon d’Or voting process after Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was excluded from the 2024 shortlist.
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Pires, speaking to MBC MASR 2, asserted that Salah is “the best player in the Premier League” and his absence from the prestigious list is a clear indication that “some people don’t know much about football.”
Salah, who had been a Ballon d’Or nominee for the past five years, was snubbed despite an impressive season in which he scored 25 goals across 44 matches.
His contributions helped Liverpool secure both the Carabao Cup and a spot in the Champions League.
Pires highlighted that Salah’s consistency and versatility have made him invaluable, saying, “He has a fantastic mentality, and his level doesn’t surprise me because he’s one of the best players in Europe and the world. He’s maintained his level for many years, playing different roles, scoring goals, and providing assists.”
Manchester City’s Rodri ultimately claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or after a remarkable year that included winning the Premier League and the Euro 2024 title with Spain.
Behind Rodri were Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal, with City’s Erling Haaland finishing in fifth place.
While many fans and players celebrated Rodri’s win, others, including Pires, believe the omission of Salah is a significant oversight.
Pires remarked, “Salah’s absence from the Ballon d’Or final shortlist shows that some people don’t know much about football. This isn’t the players’ fault; it’s the journalists’ mistake. Salah’s name deserved a place on that list.”
Rodri also commented on the controversy surrounding Vinicius Jr, who declined to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony. While respecting Vinicius’ choice, Rodri stated he would have attended regardless, viewing the ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the football community collectively.
Pires concluded by noting that Salah is among a number of greats who have faced similar snubs in their careers, including Thierry Henry, Xavi, and Andres Iniest