Arne Slot has said Liverpool will have to win at least the Premier League, but possibly also the Champions League, for Mohamed Salah to claim the Ballon d’Or.
The chances of the Egyptian winning the highest individual accolade in world soccer have been widely discussed in recent weeks on the back of an outstanding campaign so far for Liverpool. Salah has scored 30 goals in all competitions already and has provided 21 assists.
In a season where Salah seems to break a record or reach a new milestone every week, he is likely to finish with the highest-ever goal involvements in a Premier League campaign. But that might not be enough to scoop the Ballon d’Or, claims Slot, and the Liverpool boss feels the team must win silverware for the winger to take the prize.
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“It's a good thing that Mo is in the discussion because it means he does well and means we are doing well,” the Dutchman said ahead of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Newcastle United.
“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. And I think in general, someone that wins the Ballon d'Or needs to win something as well. So it's a great challenge that is in front of us, but also in front of him.
“What I liked a lot is that he takes this challenge, not only by scoring a big goal and a great assist against [Manchester] City, but he also wanted the team to win because his defensive work rate, especially in the second half, was outstanding.
“That is, I think, what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something. If we as a team can win something, he will have a far better chance to win an individual prize like the Ballon d’Or.”
There was controversy last year when Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of Vinicius Junior, despite the latter winning the Champions League. Liverpool is among the favourites to lift the trophy this season although it faces a tricky Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain before a possible quarter-final clash with Aston Villa.
Slot admits winning the Champions League would help Salah’s Ballon d’Or hopes, but adds he must rely on his team-mates too if he is to win the award.
“It would make his chances only bigger. But the last one who won it [Rodri], I think he only won the league and not the Champions League.
“So it is not only about the amount of prizes you win, but I think all of the ones that won it in the past probably, won the league or the Champions League. In football it is always like this.
“You need the team to win an individual prize. That's what Mo understands at the moment really well, because I just said his work rate, especially in the second half [against City], but I thought almost during the whole game, was very good and very helpful for us to have the chance of winning the game against City.”
