After Mohamed Salah finished fourth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed why he thinks France Football looked past the Egyptian’s incredible year.
2025 Ballon d'Or rankings cause controversy
As ever, the Ballon d’Or rankings caused plenty of debate. There wasn’t a place in the top 10 for either Virgil van Dijk or Harry Kane, whilst many have even disputed eventual winner, Ousmane Dembele. Truth be told, the award has lost some of its value ever since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo vacated their throne.
The most controversial placing was Salah’s. The Egyptian, who broke records as Liverpool sealed the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season at the club, finished fourth and below Vitinha, Lamine Yamal and Dembele. Whilst there’s an argument to be had that he shouldn’t have won the award, it feels harsh that he missed out on a place in the top three altogether.
Games
52
53
Goals
34
35
Assists
23
16
If the award is based on individual performance, then it’s hard to find a more worthy winner than Liverpool’s star. He was involved in more goals than Dembele, Yamal and, of course, midfield star Vitinha, but failed to finish above all three.
It comes just one year on from missing out on a nomination entirely in 2024, as France Football continue to look beyond Anfield’s Egyptian King. At 33 years old, it seems unlikely that Salah will have a better opportunity to win the award than in 2025, either.
Many have had their say as to why the winger missed out on the award, including Liverpool legend Carragher, who recently put Salah’s snub down to one particular reason.
Carragher reveals why Ballon d'Or snubbed Salah
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher revealed why he believes Salah missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Dembele. The former central defender looked back on Liverpool’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain and claimed that the French side’s victory made all the difference.
“I think I go back to something I said something about Salah, it obviously caused a big storm at the time about the African Cup of Nations.
“But I do feel that whether we like it or not, the biggest trophies play a part. So normally around a World Cup or a Euro year, whoever is the player of the tournament more often than not would probably get the trophy.
“I think the Champions League does play a big part. I think if Liverpool beat Paris Saint-Germain in that game, Liverpool maybe get to the semi, maybe win who knows? He probably gets it.”
There will be many who disagree with that verdict, but previous years have highlighted just how important the Champions League is in deciding these awards.
With that, Salah’s snub arguably came down to two games against the European champions last season rather than the sensational campaign that he otherwise enjoyed.
