Mo Salah Snubbed Again for FIFPRO World XI

Despite his impressive record of five major honours, 204 goals, and 82 assists, Liverpool’s Mo Salah has once again been overlooked by fellow footballers for a spot in the FIFPRO World XI. This means that Salah has never featured in the prestigious team.

Salah’s Exclusion from the FIFPRO World XI

The FIFPRO World XI is voted for each year by players from around the world. However, Salah is set to miss out on this year’s team. On the other hand, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has been shortlisted for one of the four defensive spots, alongside Ruben Dias, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, John Stones, and Kyle Walker.

It is quite baffling that Salah has not been included on the shortlist, especially considering that he is the only player in Europe’s top five leagues with more than 15 goals and 15 assists in 2023. The attacking options for the World XI include Cristiano Ronaldo, who played in the Saudi Pro League, and Karim Benzema, who joined the league in the summer.

FIFPRO, the worldwide union for professional footballers, announced that nearly 22,000 men’s football players voted for their team of the year. In previous years, Salah has been beaten by the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, his consistent performance and record-breaking achievements highlight how underrated he can be.

Salah’s Consistency and Achievements

In 2023, Salah became the first player since Thierry Henry in 2003 to reach 15 Premier League goals and assists in a calendar year. He has also topped the Premier League for goal involvements in four of his six calendar years as a Liverpool player, showcasing his consistency.

Salah’s impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, as he has won the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year twice, PFA Player of the Year twice, Premier League Player of the Season, and the Premier League Golden Boot three times. Despite never making it into the FIFPRO World XI, Salah is undoubtedly loved by Liverpool fans.

In the modern game, individual accolades hold increased significance. While Salah’s exclusion from the World XI may not be a cause for concern among Liverpool fans, it does draw attention to the recognition he deserves.