A Golden Ballon To Kick About
The wait for football to return can be excruciating and long. Besides transfer rumors blazing across the wire, there is little else for a fan to do but watch highlights and the occasional national team game. August burns bright on the horizon, and with it, the return of what we miss most. With it comes not only the games but also another chance for Liverpool glory. In August, we will find out the final nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Our Egyptian King is expected to be among them.
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A Brief History Of The Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, has recognized the world’s best player annually since 1956. Created by French news magazine France Football, it initially was called the “European Footballer of the Year Award” and only honored European players before expanding globally in 2007. Footballer legends such as Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, and of course, Lionel Messi (8) and Cristiano Ronaldo (5) have all lifted the coveted Golden Ball. The voting process, primarily by international football journalists, considers a player’s performance over a single full season.
Liverpool has a storied history when it comes to trophies and awards, but with the Ballon d’Or, the tale is different. Only one Red has won the award while playing for Liverpool. Michael Owen received the award in 2001 after winning the treble of the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and UEFA Cup. Virgil Van Dijk ran a close second in one of the tightest Ballon d’Or votes in 2019 but ultimately fell seven votes shy of the winner, Lionel Messi.
Staking Mo’s Claim
This year, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is making a strong case yet again for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Coming off a remarkable season where he played a pivotal role in Liverpool winning the Premier League, Salah has put up incredible numbers and broken multiple records. He recorded 33 goals and 23 assists across all competitions. Mo equaled the goal involvement record in the Premier League, with a shorter season. Individually, he also took the Golden Boot, Playmaker of the Season, and was named both the Premier League Player of the Year and the FWA Player of the Year. His consistency, leadership, and ability to deliver in crucial moments are just a couple of the qualities that have become hallmarks of his play.
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While Salah himself feels this is his “best chance” to win, he faces stiff competition. Early favorites for the 2025 award include Ousmane Dembélé, who contributed to Paris Saint-Germain’s historic quadruple, including their first Champions League title, and Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal. The power of recency bias might preclude Salah’s shining star as the Champions League final played out while players shifted to rest and recovery after a long season. Despite fierce rivals, Salah’s exceptional individual output and winning of the Premier League under the management of a brand new coach should place him firmly among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or.