Liverpool manager Arne Slot has rate Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award amidst the ongoing drama surrounding Jamie Carragher’s opinion.
Salah has been in amazing form once again this season with the Egypt international contributing 30 goals and 21 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.
However, Carragher believes Salah playing in the AFCON will dent his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. According to the ex Liverpool defender, Salah needs to win the Champions League to have a shot at the award.
And when asked about the likelihood of Salah winning the award, Slot told a press conference on Tuesday: “It’s mostly about attackers although the last winner was a midfielder [Rodri].
“It’s a good thing Mo is in the discussion as that means he is doing well and that means we are doing well. For him to stay in that discussion he should bring the same performances as he has done for seven or eight months now. In general, someone who wins the Ballon d’Or needs to win something as well.
“That is a great challenge in front of us and in front of him. What I liked a lot is that he takes this challenge with a big goal and assist against City but [his] defensive work-rate the in second half particularly was outstanding and that is what it takes for us to have the chance to win something. If we as a team win something he has a far better chance to win an individual prize like the Ballon d’Or.”
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Forgetting that Rodri also won the Euros with Spain, Slot added: “It would make his chance only bigger [if we win Champions League] but the last one who won it only won the Premier League. It’s not just about the amount of prizes you win, but [players] who won it in the past won the league or Champions League. But football is always like this — you need the team to win individual prize and Mo understands that.”
When asked whether Salah’s form this term is on par with the likes of peak Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Slot said: “It’s so difficult to compare players with each other and it’s not fair to anyone. Mo has his own career and Mo has been outstanding.
“Messi didn’t play in the Premier League, but I don’t want to bring him down because he is incredible! But that makes the comparison even more difficult. Mo has had some outstanding seasons at Liverpool and we hope he can continue this for a longer period of time but to do that he has to extend his contract of course.”
Salah has been linked with a move away from Liverpool in the summer with his contract expiring but there are still expectations that he will eventually agree to stay at Anfield.
