Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is on the brink of what could be the crowning moment of his career.
The Liverpool forward, who dominated the Premier League in 2024/25 campaign, is in contention for the Ballon d’Or, the sport’s most prestigious individual award, on Monday night.
Salah’s campaign was nothing short of remarkable. He scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the Premier League alone, playing a pivotal role as Liverpool secured the title by a comfortable 10-point margin.
His form earned him virtually every major domestic individual honour, including the Golden Boot, Playmaker Trophy, and Player of the Year awards. Now, Salah is aiming for the ultimate recognition in world football.
But as the award ceremony approaches at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the Liverpool star faces stiff competition. PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, fresh from a treble-winning season with the French champions, and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal are among the frontrunners.
Despite this, Egypt national team head coach Hossam Hassan has launched a passionate plea for Salah to be acknowledged as the world’s best.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday evening, Hassan shared a mock-up image of Salah holding the Ballon d’Or and laid out a compelling case for the forward.
??Hossam Hassan, Egypt national team coach on Mo Salah and Ballon Dor: “Considering the difficulties he has faced throughout his career, he deserves it… Considering the challenges he has overcome, he deserves it… Considering the years of brilliance, excellence, and creativity… https://t.co/CeZQYFfQxlpic.twitter.com/wBDbKSjlri
— Ismael Mahmoud – ??????? ????? (@ismaeelmahmoudd) September 21, 2025
“Considering the difficulties he has faced throughout his career, he deserves it,” Hassan wrote. “Considering the challenges he has overcome, he deserves it. Considering the years of brilliance, excellence, and creativity in the strongest league in the world, he deserves it.”
Hassan continued, offering both praise and perspective on Salah’s sustained excellence:
“It is hard to reach the top, but the real difficulty lies in staying at the top. And he has reached the top and remained there for many years, thanks to God first, and to his talent, hard work, and determination… becoming a role model for everyone striving for success.”
“So, isn’t it time for football, and for those who decide the winner, to do him justice? Our prayers, and the prayers of all Egyptians and all of Salah’s fans around the world, are that Salah will be the winner of the Ballon d’Or… an ultimate crowning of the career of a great player, one who may never be repeated in the history of Egyptian, Arab, African, and even world football.”
Hassan’s statement reflects not only Salah’s achievements on the pitch but also his journey off it, overcoming challenges and maintaining elite standards for years. Many football fans remain sceptical of the Ballon d’Or, often seeing it as a popularity contest favouring players from clubs with European success. Nevertheless, players themselves place immense value on it, and Salah has been open about his desire to lift the trophy.
For Salah, consistency has been the hallmark of his career. He has finished in the top ten of Ballon d’Or voting four times, a reflection of sustained excellence rarely matched in the Premier League era. His challengers this year, including Dembele and Barcelona’s Raphinha, have yet to even reach such heights.
Still, factors beyond individual brilliance may influence the outcome. Liverpool’s elimination from the Champions League at the last-16 stage, coupled with a defeat in the Carabao Cup final, could weigh against Salah, while Dembele’s treble-winning season with PSG bolsters his chances. Dembele also scored decisively in European fixtures, including at Anfield, giving him an edge in high-profile matches.
Despite this, Salah’s season remains exceptional. Across all competitions, he scored 34 goals, with 29 in the Premier League, and provided 18 assists. His performances not only contributed to Liverpool’s league triumph but also demonstrated his versatility, creativity, and leadership. While the Ballon d’Or is notoriously difficult to predict, Hassan’s plea underscores the global recognition Salah commands not just in Egypt, but around the world.
As the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches, Liverpool fans will be eagerly watching. Whether Salah claims the award or narrowly misses out, his 2024/25 season will be remembered as one of the finest in Premier League history. For Hassan and millions of supporters, there is no question: Mohamed Salah has earned his place among the very best.
