Why is Mohamed Salah Continuously Overlooked at the Ballon d’Or Awards?
Liverpool fans have long since demonstrated their appreciation for the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, who has become an Anfield icon since arriving at the club in 2017. Despite this, it was deemed in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting that 10 players have had better calendar years than Salah, who has never finished inside the top three at the FIFA ceremony.
The Egyptian reached 30 goals in all competitions for the third successive season in 2022/23 and already has 10 to his name in the current campaign. His highest finishes came when he placed fifth at both the 2019 and 2022 awards, with Lionel Messi unsurprisingly topping the pile on this occasion.
It appears that same appreciation doesn’t extend to the journalists, national team coaches and captains who vote for the award, and supporters shared their feelings when this year’s final standings were announced.
Fans React to Salah’s Ballon d’Or Snub
Many Liverpool fans took to social media to express their disbelief at Salah’s 11th place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings. One fan tweeted, “Ballon d’Or should go off of how good a player ACTUALLY is, not from what they’ve won. Julian Alvarez is not the 7th best player in the world ? He’d be lucky to be listed in the top 7 strikers in the Premier League?”
Another fan highlighted the lack of respect Salah receives, tweeting, “The footballing world has let Mo Salah down, never giving him enough respect. When he retires, people will see how he is one of the worlds greatest ever players.”
Yet another fan pointed out that Salah’s 11th place finish was still impressive given he has not won any trophies with his club or country, tweeting, “Salah will not make the Ballon d’Or Top 3 unless African countries support him. Mané made Top 3 with 78% of his points from Africa (AFCON consolidated the votes). Mo is the only player in this year’s Top 15 without his club/country win a trophy or play in the WC. Proud of him.”
Salah’s Ballon d’Or History
Salah’s highest finish came in 2018 when he placed 6th in the rankings. Since then, he has finished 5th twice and 7th once. One fan tweeted a reminder of Salah’s impressive record, saying, “Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or finishes since joining Liverpool: 2018 – 6th; 2019 – 5th; 2021 – 7th; 2022 – 5th; 2023 – 11th. He’s had a top 11 place every single season he’s been at the club!”
Another fan highlighted how ridiculous it is that Salah had 45 goals and assists in 2022/23 and still finished 11th in the Ballon d’Or rankings, tweeting, “How is Mo Salah not in the top 10? It’s a proper Joke competition and has been for years. VVD, Lewadowski and now Haaland all robbed of it in recent years.”
What Does Salah Need to Do to Be Recognised?
It is unclear what Salah would need to do to be recognised appropriately at the Ballon d’Or awards, but it is worth remembering that individual honours mean very little in the grand scheme of things in this sport.
He admitted he was “shocked” by his seventh-place finish at the 2021 ceremony two years ago having registered 37 goals and 12 assists across the calendar year.
It is unlikely such snubs come as a surprise to him anymore, but Liverpool fans are well aware of what he continuously brings to Jurgen Klopp‘s team, and that is truly all that matters!
He has made a blistering start to the 2023/24 season and, in theory, is on track to make a run at