Arne Slot backs 'outstanding' Mohamed Salah to win the Ballon d'Or, but only if Liverpool win trophies this season

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Mohamed Salah scored his 25th Premier League goal and provided his 16th assist of the campaign in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester City, which sent them 11 points clear at the top of the table. Add to that their UEFA Champions League dominance and Salah's name is already being spoken about as a potential Ballon d'Or winner for 2025. His manager, Arne Slot, has tried to temper expectations.

Slot on Salah contract, Ballon d’Or bid and comparisons with Messi and Ronaldo

Video credit: SNTV

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says Mohamed Salah will only win the Ballon d’Or if he lifts silverware with the club first.

The Egyptian forward is one of the early favourites to pick up this year’s crown due to his scintillating form which has helped Liverpool take giant strides towards the Premier League title.

They are 11 points clear at the top ahead of their midweek fixture against Newcastle United, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Salah’s brilliance also guided Liverpool to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as the top team in the league phase.

As things stand, Salah is likely to face competition for football’s most coveted individual prize from Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, as well as Barcelona star Raphinha.

In the Premier League, Salah has 25 goals already this season, as well as 16 assists, and is in a strong position to break a number of records in England’s top flight.

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Speaking about becoming a Ballon d’Or frontrunner, Slot said: "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.

"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."

The years of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominating the prize seem to be over, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri the current holder of the award.

Before Rodri, only Karim Benzema and Luka Modric (for one year each) were able to deny Messi or Ronaldo getting their hands on it between 2008 and 2023.

Asked how Salah compares to Messi and Ronaldo in the talk about football’s greatest ever players, Slot said: "It’s so difficult to compare players with each other. It’s not fair to anyone. I think Mo has his own career and Mo has been outstanding.

"Mo has had some outstanding seasons here at Liverpool and we hope he can continue this for a longer period of time but to do that, he first has to extend his contract, of course."

Salah’s contract remains a huge talking point, with a new deal to extend his stay beyond this summer at Anfield yet to be agreed.

"You can say the better he does, the more expensive he might become," Slot said.

"If he were to do really worse, we’d have second thoughts if we wanted to extend his contract, so for everyone it’s the best he brings in the performances he does now. Maybe only for the one that has to pay him, it’s not the best."

Talking about the influence Salah has on other members of the Liverpool squad, Slot said: "If you want to play at this club, you need to be at his level.

"Otherwise, you’re almost useless to play at this club because we only need players that are at the top of the game, because this is one of the best or the best club in the world to play for."

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