Mohamed Salah told ‘the only reason’ he has not won the Ballon d’Or while playing for Liverpool

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Liverpool are looking good to win some major trophies under Arne Slot this season.

The Reds have moved 13 points clear in the Premier League table after a routine win over Newcastle on Wednesday.

Although things should not be considered done and dusted just yet, there are not many who would back anyone other than Liverpool right now.

With the Reds one of the favourites to win the Champions League, too, plenty in the Liverpool squad will perhaps have their eyes on sweeping some individual awards at the end of the season.

One who will certainly be in the running for just about everything is Mohamed Salah. As top scorer – and top assister – in the Premier League this season, Salah looks like a shoo-in for the PFA Player of the Year in England.

However, what the Egyptian really wants is to be recognised internationally with the Ballon d’Or; the most prestigious individual award in world football. To some, this is an honour Salah should have already had. But according to Joe Cole, there’s a clear reason why he hasn’t.

Why Mohamed Salah hasn’t won the Ballon d’Or

Plenty of football fans will place little stock in something like the Ballon d’Or. The game is a team sport after all.

The trophy has also regularly been won by a player from either Barcelona or Real Madrid and as a result is viewed by many as little more than a glorified popularity contest.

Nevertheless, it clearly holds importance for players like Salah. And after a stunning season, Mo is likely to be one of the top contenders in 2025.

The Liverpool winger has never placed higher than fourth despite some truly great seasons with the Reds since 2017. But as he aims to go for the podium this time, Cole has suggested that Salah has simply been unlucky to be going against Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

READ MORE: Richard Keys suggests what Mo Salah would do if Chelsea offer him a better contract then Liverpool this summer

“He’ll certainly be in the running,” said the former Chelsea man when asked about Salah’s chances on TNT Sports.

“I think the Ballon d’Or is always heavily loaded towards what happens in the Champions League and what happens in the final in particular.”

“The only reason he’s not got one in his career is that he’s been in the Messi and Ronaldo era and Liverpool haven’t reached the latter end of the Champions League in recent, recent years,” Cole explained. “But I think what he’s done in the Premier League he stands on the shoulders of all the giants.

“There’s been a lot of debate this week, your Henry’s, your Cantona’s, your Aguero’s, your Gerrard’s and all these great players. He’s certainly standing shoulder to shoulder with all of them and in the conversation.”

Who could challenge Salah for the Ballon d’Or?

Given the season he is having, Liverpool fans will be of the opinion that Salah should probably be a shoo-in to win the Ballon d’Or in October.

But as Cole says, the voting will likely be massively skewed by what happens in the Champions League.

With Real Madrid always there or there abouts, the likes of Kylian Mbappe and last year’s runner-up Vinicius Jnr will be strongly in the mix.

Mbappe has quietly had a supreme first year at the Bernabeu, scoring 28 times. Vinicius has 18 goals and 10 assists and will likely be a contender.

Having scored 33 and 29 respectively, both Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane could also be in with a shout, especially if Barcelona or Bayern Munich go all the way in Europe. For Barca, Raphinha could be one to watch, too.