Mohamed Salah ended the 2025 Ballon d’Or night in fourth place, a result that has set off a heated debate across football circles. The Liverpool striker logged 47 goal involvements in a season that delivered the club’s first Premier League title since 2020, yet he was outranked by PSG winger Ousmane Dembele, Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal and Portugal’s Vitinha.
Why Salah’s Record Season Fell Short of the Ballon d’Or
On paper, Salah’s campaign looks unbeatable. He tallied 34 league goals, added ten assists, and was directly involved in nearly every decisive moment of Liverpool’s title charge. The numbers outshine those of any peer in the top five European leagues, and his influence stretched beyond statistics – he lifted team morale, commanded defenses, and often turned games around single‑handedly.
Support for his claim surged from unexpected corners. Manchester United’s midfield enforcer Casemiro told British GQ that Salah was “the best player with his impact in this game,” while former Egypt international Mido flooded social media with the sentiment that the Egyptian King “should be the winner.” Even Liverpool’s own manager, newly appointed Arne Slot, praised the forward’s consistency, noting that without Salah the title race would have looked completely different.
Yet the Ballon d’Or voting panel, composed of journalists, national team coaches and captains, appears to have leaned heavily on European competition success. Dembele’s decisive role in PSG’s Champions League triumph was repeatedly highlighted in pundit discussions, and many voters cited the prestige of winning Europe’s biggest club trophy as the final arbiter.
- Domestic dominance vs. continental glory: Salah’s Premier League heroics versus Dembele’s Champions League heroics.
- Statistical superiority: 47 goal involvements for Salah compared to Dembele’s 24 across all competitions.
- Voting weight: Historically, Ballon d’Or voters have given extra credit to players who lift the Champions League trophy.
The result reignited a familiar grievance among fans: that the award’s criteria undervalue league performance, especially in competitions like the Premier League where the financial and competitive gap is massive. Critics argue that the current system creates a bias toward clubs that have deeper runs in Europe, sidelining players who excel in domestic play.
The Bigger Question: How the Ballon d’Or Is Decided
Beyond the individual storyline, the ceremony in Paris highlighted another layer of the debate. Liverpool’s delegation travelled to the Theatre du Chatelet, but Salah reportedly stayed home, perhaps a silent protest or simply a personal choice. Liverpool’s official social channels posted a measured “A season to savour from Salah” message, celebrating the forward without directly addressing the perceived snub.
Other Liverpool figures were also in the mix: Alisson was nominated for the Lev Yashin Trophy, and manager Arne Slot contended for Coach of the Year. The club itself was a candidate for Men’s Club of the Year. Their collective presence underscores how a single player’s fortunes are tied to broader club narratives during award season.In the weeks following the ceremony, analysts have begun dissecting voting patterns. Some suggest that journalists, who form the bulk of the voting body, may prioritize narratives that align with European tournament storylines. Others claim the voting system, with its blend of coaches and captains, inevitably reflects a balance between statistical merit and iconic moments on the biggest stages.
What remains clear is that Salah’s fourth‑place finish, while his career‑best, feels like a missed opportunity for many who watched his season unfold. The debate is likely to shape discussions about reforming the Ballon d’Or voting formula, perhaps introducing a distinct weighting for domestic league performance or creating a separate accolade that honors consistency across a season.
As the football world moves into the summer break, the conversation about fairness, recognition, and the true meaning of “best player” will continue. Whether the award’s criteria evolve or stay the same, Salah’s 2024‑25 season will be remembered as one of the most dominant individual displays in recent Premier League history, regardless of the silverware that sits on the official podium.
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