Mohamed Salah is among the 30 shortlisted names for the men’s Ballon d’Or, and he has unlikely support from down the M62 in Man United‘s Casemiro.
The 33-year-old was in a league of his own for much of last season, scoring 34 goals and assisting 23 across 52 games in all competitions.
He was named on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or earlier this month alongside three Liverpool teammates, and he will be expecting his best-placed finish.
Salah’s highest finish in the Ballon d’Or is fifth place, which he has achieved twice, in 2019 and 2022, but is rightly among the favourites in 2025.
Even Man United‘s Casemiro has backed the Egyptian to take home the prize, which is decided by 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations.
“It’s very difficult, but in my opinion, for me, Salah,” the Brazilian midfielder told GQ when asked who he thinks should win the award – we’ll forgive him for his optimistic title prediction, though!
@britishgq Who's winning the Premier League this season? GQ speaks to Casemiro about football and his favourite Real Madrid and Manchester United kits. #Casemiro #PremierLeague #ManchesterUnited #RealMadrid ? original sound – British GQ
“He is the best player with his impact on the game. He scores so much and assists so much.
“I think Liverpool don’t win this trophy, for example, the Champions League or another trophy because he dropped off a little in the second part of the season.
“But, for me, the most balanced player of the season is Salah.”
Salah was fundamental to Liverpool lifting the Premier League trophy in Arne Slot‘s first season, having had a hand in 55 percent of the goals in the competition.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah poses for photographs with his golden boots and the Premier League trophy after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
His longest run without a goal last season spanned six games, starting in the extra-time defeat to PSG in the Champions League and ending when the league was wrapped up against Tottenham.
While those of a Liverpool persuasion will have him as the leading candidate for the award, PSG’s Ousmane Dembele – who won the Champions League – and Lamine Yamal are the bookies’ favourites.
The award, which seeks to celebrate individual performance, is heavily weighted by the number of trophies won and this could work against Salah despite his stellar year.
Michael Owen remains the only Reds player to win the Ballon d’Or (2001), with Virgil van Dijk close to joining him after finishing runner-up to Lionel Messi in 2019.