Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah has unsurprisingly been nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or award, along with three other current teammates.
The 33-year-old was the inspiration behind the Reds’ Premier League title win in 2024/25, scoring 29 goals and registering 18 assists in the competition.
Now, Salah has been included in the 30-man Men’s Player of the Year list for the Ballon d’Or – handed to Europe’s outstanding player.
He is joined by fellow Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz, with the latter an influential figure for Bayer Leverkusen before his move to Anfield.
There is no place for Ryan Gravenberch, however, despite a fantastic season in a new role, while Alisson isn’t included despite being up for the Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers.
Meanwhile, Arne Slot is nominated for Coach of the Year – richly deserved after a triumphant first season in charge of Liverpool.
READ: Arne Slot nominated for Coach of the Year at 2025 Ballon d’Or awards
Salah stands the best chance of winning the prestigious individual prize from a Reds perspective, but he faces stern competition.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé scores the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele is the favourite to take home the honour, helped hugely by the fact that he won the Champions League.
The Frenchman was impressive en route to his side being crowned European champions – he scored at Anfield in the last 16 – and the award often goes to a player who wins the competition.
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal is also a strong contender, following a title-winning season in La Liga, as his star continues to rise.
The likes of Raphinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Pedri and are also among the players up for the prize, as well as England pair Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
For Salah, this is yet an impressive individual honour, as he continues to cement his reputation as one of the best players of his generation.
He won the Footballer of the Year award for 2024/25 and is expected to become the first-ever player to win the PFA Player of the Year award three times when the winner is announced on August 19.
Unfortunately, Liverpool’s failure to win the Champions League may ultimately work against him with the Ballon d’or, though.
Michael Owen remains the only Reds player to win the Ballon d’Or, awarded in 2001, though Van Dijk finished runner-up to Lionel Messi in 2019.
2025 Ballon d’Or nominees: Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Desire Doue, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Viktor Gyokeres, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappe, Scott McTominay, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Michael Olise, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabian Ruiz, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Vinicius Jr, Vitinha, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal