Thierry Henry has confessed that winning the Ballon d’Or next year will be ‘tough’ for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Salah was recently ranked 11th in the 2023 edition of the award, which saw Lionel Messi win for the seventh time.
But, with the season well started, speculation has already moved to who will triumph in 2024. Last night, as a list of the current favorites was given on CBS Sports Golazo, Henry weighed in on why he doesn’t believe Liverpool’s Egyptian King will be anointed.
“In a year of a big [footballing] event, a big tournament, it’s difficult for Mo Salah, for example, I saw him on the list,” the former Arsenal striker revealed.
“Even though you’ll have the Africa Cup of Nations, people will watch the Euros.” And it’s different after the Euros, and it’s different after the World Cup.”
Salah has dropped out of contention for the Ballon d’Or.
It’s not a negative thing in and of itself, but Salah will not win the Ballon d’Or next year.
He’s probably in the running, as he always is. Since joining Liverpool for £34 million, the 31-year-old has consistently finished in the top 11. Mo is on track for another outstanding season with Liverpool, which will almost certainly be recognized.
But Henry makes an excellent point. Just as it was last year, more emphasis is now being placed on foreign successes.
Sadio Mane’s second-place performance in 2022 demonstrates that the AFCON, which comes place early next year, is being given more attention. That’s great.
With so many European stars on the list of favorites, it would take a massive effort from Mo – and Egypt – to push the Liverpool player to the top.
Another reason Salah will not be at the top of the pile next year is that Liverpool will not be competing in the Champions League.
You can forget about it if Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, or Harry Kane win the Champions League and Euros.
Individual awards, in our opinion, are nothing more than popularity contests that rarely actually reflect the best player of the day. Still, it would be good to see Salah receive the credit he deserves. Henry, on the other hand, will very certainly be correct.
