Mohamed Salah Ballon d'Or verdict speaks volumes as Liverpool placings confirmed

Former Egypt international Mido has become the latest figure from the nation to champion Mohamed Salah's Ballon d'Or bid. The Liverpool sensation is amongst four Reds players who have secured spots on the 30-man 2025 shortlist for football's most prestigious individual honour.

Salah provided the lion's share Liverpool's goals and assists as they clinched Premier League glory in Arne Slot's maiden season as head coach. The 33-year-old matched the top-flight's goal contribution record with 47, managing 57 across all competitions.

Salah also turned out six times for Egypt during the same timeframe, finding the net four times and providing one assist as his country booked their place at the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Consequently, the forward has garnered substantial support for the Ballon d'Or from Egyptian football legends.

The most recent endorsement comes from Mido, who represented numerous English sides including Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough. Posting on X, the 42 year old declared: "I honestly believe that Salah should be the winner by the end of the night. He deserves to be crowned after all what he has done to the football world.

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"He's been a great example to all youngsters all over the world he gave them hope and he's been the pride of his country Egypt. Be fair to him just for one time and make it happen this year! ! Give him what he deserves the Ballon d'Or."

Salah earlier received similar backing from Egyptian national team manager Hossam Hassan, who declared: "Considering the hardships he encountered along his journey, he deserves it.. Based on the size of the challenges you overcome, he deserves it.

"Measuring years of brilliance, excellence and creativity in the strongest league in the world, he deserves it. It is difficult to get to the top, but all the difficulty lies in continuing on the top, and he has reached the top and continued on it for many years thanks to God first, then his talent, hard work and determination until he became a role model for all success seekers.

"Is it time for football to be fair and fair with them to choose the winner? Our prayers and the prayers of all Egyptians and all Salah's fans around the world, that Salah should be the winner of the Ballon d'Or to be the best crowning of the career of a great player that may not be repeated again in our history of Egyptian, Arab and African football, but also international."

But turning this aspiration into reality won't be straightforward. Salah, who has never secured a place amongst the top three contenders for the prestigious accolade throughout his career to date, faces stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain's treble-winning star Ousmane Dembele, alongside Barcelona's La Liga-conquering pair Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

Liverpool's summer signing Florian Wirtz has officially landed the 29th spot, while captain Virgil van Dijk is one step ahead at 28th and Alexis Mac Allister secured the 22nd position. Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker is in the running for the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper of 2025, while Slot is a contender for the Johan Cruyff Trophy for the best coach of the year.

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