'Mohamed Salah is alone on Ballon d’Or podium', claims Rio Ferdinand as Liverpool resume UEFA Champions League hunt

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Rio Ferdinand says Mohamed Salah is streaks clear in the race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but cautioned that there is still time for other contenders to emerge. The Egyptian has been immense this season in helping Liverpool challenge for domestic and European glory, but with trophies still to be handed out, Ferdinand said it will all come down to who produces the goods in the biggest moments.

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Rio Ferdinand believes Mohamed Salah is the overwhelming favourite to scoop the 2025 Ballon d'Or as Liverpool continue to fight for silverware on three fronts.

The Reds are closing in on securing this season's Premier League, while they are into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League and final of the Carabao Cup.

And Salah has been instrumental to the success of the Merseyside club. The Egyptian has returned an astonishing 30 goals and 22 assists across 39 appearances in all competitions this campaign and is on course to smash countless records.

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But while Ferdinand thinks Salah would be a shoo-in for the prestigious golden ball if it was to be awarded now, the former Manchester United defender said there is much that can still change as we approach the business end of the season.

In particular, Ferdinand thinks it could all hinge on who produces the goods when the pressure is at its highest and whether Liverpool win the Champions League.

Arne Slot's side topped the table after the league phase and face Paris Saint-Germain for a spot in the quarter-finals – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"Right now at this moment in time, I don't think there's anyone else on the podium with him," Ferdinand said.

"But I think with the way the Champions League works, as you get through the knockout stages and someone starts coming to the fore, they end up there.

"It comes down to moments in big games, really. You can throw Salah in there, you can throw [Ousmane] Dembele in there if PSG go far. [Kylian] Mbappe will be there, [as will] Vinicius [Junior] and [Jude] Bellingham.

"Whoever keeps their status and turns up in the semi-final and final will win it. If they [Liverpool] win the Champions League, I'm sure he'll play a big part."

Slot and Salah have their say

Slot, who has been a revelation since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, also recently weighed into the Ballon d'Or debate and echoed Ferdinand's sentiments in regards to his superstar winger.

"It’s a good thing that Mo is in the discussion because it means he does well and it means that we are doing well," Slot said, ahead of Liverpool's 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League at the end of February.

"But for him to stay in that discussion, he should bring in the same performances as he’s done for seven or eight months now.

"I think, in general, someone that wins the Ballon d’Or needs to win something as well, so it’s a great challenge that’s in front of us but also in front of him."

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The man himself insisted he isn't getting carried away in the pursuit for individual accolades; rather, his focus is on helping Liverpool lift as much silverware as possible and add to the club's already incredible roll of honour.

"Let’s win the Premier League and the Champions League," the 32-year-old told TNT Sports. "Because the Ballon d’Or, everybody knows sometimes [other] stuff involved there."

And pushed on whether he thinks winning those two trophies will see him collect the golden ball later this year, he simply replied: "Hopefully."

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