The 2025 Ballon d’Or will be handed out on Monday, September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and the spotlight is firmly on Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward is once again in the running after another outstanding campaign.

At 32, Salah produced one of his most complete seasons yet, leading Liverpool to a historic 20th league title under new manager Arne Slot. In the Premier League alone, he registered 29 goals and 18 assists in 38 matches, adding another 10 goal contributions in other competitions. Across Europe’s top leagues, no player recorded more combined goals and assists.

Salah’s influence was not only statistical. He evolved further into Liverpool’s creative hub, dropping deeper to orchestrate play while still carrying his trademark goal threat. For nearly a decade he has been the Reds’ talisman, and his longevity at the top level has drawn admiration worldwide.

Praise From Egypt and Beyond

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has been vocal in his support, calling Salah a “role model” and insisting he “deserves” the award:

“Considering the hardships he encountered along his journey, he deserves it. Measuring years of brilliance, excellence and creativity in the strongest league in the world, he deserves it.”

Hassan went further, framing a Ballon d’Or win as not just a personal triumph, but a historic moment for Egyptian, Arab, and African football.

Surprisingly, Salah also has backing from a rival camp. Casemiro, of Manchester United, described him as “the most balanced player of the season” for his combined goalscoring and creative output.

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Why Salah May Be Overlooked Again

Despite the glowing praise, Salah is not the bookmakers’ favourite. Ousmane Dembélé, who led PSG to the Champions League title, tops the lists, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has surged into contention after a breakout season. Reports even claimed that leaked lists pointed to Raphinha or Yamal as frontrunners, though France Football has denied that the result is known in advance.

Historically, Salah’s Ballon d’Or finishes have been modest compared to his output — sixth in 2018, fifth in 2019 and 2022. Analysts argue that his lack of Champions League success in key seasons has hurt his chances, while others suggest deeper structural biases, with Salah admired but not mythologised in the same way as some European counterparts.

In a recent interview, Salah himself admitted the award once “drove him crazy,” but that he has since accepted that some factors are beyond his control.

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How the Ballon d’Or Will Be Decided

France Football’s editor-in-chief, Vincent Garcia, has clarified the selection criteria:

• Individual performance (statistics and consistency)
• Decisive moments in big games
• Trophies won across the season
• Fair play and conduct on and off the pitch

Votes are cast by 100 journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, each choosing five players in a 6-4-3-2-1 points system. Unlike past editions, the winner will not be notified in advance. Only Garcia and France Football executives know the result.

Last year’s result sparked debate when Rodri beat Vinícius Júnior despite Madrid’s Champions League triumph, highlighting how intangibles beyond trophies can sway the decision.

The Contenders

• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): Champions League winner and top contributor across Europe.
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): Teenage prodigy who inspired Barca’s domestic dominance.
• Raphinha (Barcelona): Another strong candidate after his decisive moments in La Liga and Europe.
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Premier League champion, top scorer/creator, consistent brilliance.

What It Would Mean

For Salah, lifting the Ballon d’Or would be the crowning moment of a career that has already redefined expectations for African players in Europe. For Egypt, it would mark a milestone never before reached in its football history.

Whether the panel of voters values Salah’s relentless consistency, or leans towards Champions League-winning narratives, will decide the outcome. One thing is certain: Salah has once again done everything in his power to merit inclusion among football’s very best.