Mohamed Salah Reflects On Ballon D'Or Aspirations Since Joining Liverpool In 2017

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Mohamed Salah, a key player for Liverpool, began contemplating the Ballon d'Or after joining the club in 2017. This year, he is among the top contenders for the award alongside Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Salah had an outstanding season, scoring 34 goals and assisting 23 times in 52 matches across all competitions.

Salah's remarkable performance helped Liverpool secure their second league title in five years. He also equalled the record for most combined goals and assists in a single Premier League season with 47. Salah became only the fifth player to be named Player of the Season more than once, joining Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic, and Kevin De Bruyne.

The Egyptian forward has his sights set on winning the Ballon d'Or. "If I win it, it would be great. If I don't win it, I think my career will also be very good," Salah told France Football. He added that winning it for his people is a constant thought in his mind.

Salah's achievements include winning his fourth Golden Boot, tying with Henry for the most in Premier League history. Despite these accolades, he has never placed higher than fifth in the Ballon d'Or rankings, which occurred in 2019 when Lionel Messi won.

The last Liverpool player to win the Ballon d'Or was Michael Owen in 2001. Salah's debut season at Liverpool saw him score 32 goals and provide 10 assists during the 2017-18 Premier League campaign. His consistent performance over eight years at Merseyside sets him apart.

Salah is hopeful of becoming only the second African to win this prestigious award. Reflecting on his journey, he mentioned that as a child playing on Egyptian streets, winning such an accolade seemed distant until his agent Ramy Abbas discussed it with him.

Looking Ahead

Several recent Ballon d'Or winners have been in their thirties, giving Salah optimism about his chances. The upcoming season holds promise with Liverpool defending their title and competing in the Champions League. Additionally, Salah looks forward to representing Egypt in AFCON and potentially at the World Cup.

Salah's journey from Egypt to becoming a global football icon is inspiring. His dedication to both club and country continues to drive him towards achieving new milestones while honouring his roots.