Liverpool transfer target Jude Bellingham was even better than Mohamed Salah during 2022.
That’s the view of international captains, coaches and media from across the world. As per journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Bellingham finished the voting for FIFA’s annual The Best awards last night in 13th place – one spot ahead of Salah.
The 19-year-old excelled over the last year, capping it off with a brilliant showing during the World Cup in Qatar. As a result, Bellingham has now been recognised as one of the top, top players on the planet.
Comfortably the youngest of the 14 players who received votes, it’s clear that it won’t be the last time the Borussia Dortmund man makes this list.
Hopefully the next time he’s included it will be as a Liverpool player!
Awards not a key indicator of Bellingham’s talent
Award shows such as the one last night certainly have a place in today’s game. It’s important to recognise individual talent in a team sport.
But the ordering of the 14 players last night – and some who were left out – show the flaws in such things.
Can anybody seriously, with a straight face, say that Julian Alvarez was the seventh best player in the world in 2022? Julian Alvarez who scored seven Manchester City goals in the calendar year?
Yes, the 23-year-old had a brilliant World Cup and was a key part of Argentina winning it. But seven great games does not a great year make.
The same can be said of World Cup-winning goalie Emi Martinez. The Aston Villa ‘keeper was another crucial part of the Argentine’s winning the trophy in Qatar.
But, and all respect to Villa here, he plays for a side who finished 14th last season and are currently 11th. Is that the best goalkeeper on the planet? Because that’s what he was voted as last night.
So, clearly, finishing well in these kinds of awards isn’t always a fair reflection of talent. But in Bellingham’s case, he’s worthy of inclusion. As Liverpool continue their push to make him their record signing, it’s another indication of why he’s worth every penny. He’s ‘sensational.’