Mohamed Salah is playing some of the best football of his career, and if he maintains his blistering form until the season’s end, he could finally get his hands on the Ballon d’Or. That’s the verdict from football greats Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards, who all believe the Egyptian is a top contender for the prestigious award.
Under new manager Arne Slot, Salah has been unstoppable, tallying 21 goals and 12 assists in just 23 league appearances.
His Champions League performances have been just as impressive, with three goals and four assists helping Liverpool emerge as strong favorites to reclaim the European crown.
Despite ongoing speculation about his long-term future at Anfield, Salah remains laser-focused on his performances. His absence from Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth was a disappointment, but it hasn’t dampened his momentum.
The 32-year-old has twice finished fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings (2019, 2022), but this season, he’s firmly in the conversation to win it.
In a discussion on CBS Sports, Henry, Carragher, and Richards all backed Salah as a leading contender for the award, though they acknowledged competition from Vinícius Júnior.
“If he carries on like that, yeah,” Richards said.
Henry added, “He’s my mate, but maybe Vinícius… yeah, probably Salah as well.”
Carragher emphasized that the trophies Liverpool win will be a decisive factor: “It depends on what they win, so it’s a tough one.”
The panel also debated Liverpool’s chances of completing a treble. While Carragher believes the Premier League and Carabao Cup are within reach, he downplayed the idea of a full sweep.
“For me, the league is the most important thing for Liverpool this season,” Carragher said. “Once we get to March or April, if Liverpool have a big Champions League game midweek and a league match on Saturday, I think most people will prioritize the league. I think Liverpool will win the league and the Carabao Cup.”
Henry, however, argued that the true treble includes the FA Cup: “That’s a small treble. The real treble is the FA Cup for me. I think it’ll be tough for them.”
Richards agreed with Carragher’s prediction: “I think they’ll win two. I agree with Jamie.”
With Liverpool still in contention for multiple trophies and Salah in top form, the Ballon d’Or race is heating up—now, it’s just a matter of how the season unfolds.