Thierry Henry is adamant that Liverpool’s Mo Salah isn’t the best player in the world because Karim Benzema is ‘ahead’ of him, at this moment in time, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (19/10/21 at 7:40 pm).
The Premier League legend stated that Benzema is ahead of the Liverpool man because he is a ‘complete’ player compared to Salah who is ‘becoming’ that now.
Both Salah and Benzema are in seriously red hot form this season – both have failed to score or assist in only one game this season in all competitions.
They were both on the scoresheet yesterday, as Real Madrid put five past Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, whilst Salah was in Madrid, on the other side of the city, netting a brace against Atletico.
Many Liverpool fans won’t agree with Henry’s claim, but the two points he put forward, in his fellow countryman being ahead, was what he is doing on the international stage and that he has been ‘complete’ for far longer.
“Not yet,” said Henry. “The goals that he is scoring, at the moment, are very good. But how can you forget about Lewandowski? How can you forget about Benzema? How can you forget doing it at the national level also?
“Right now, he’s suffering a bit with Egypt. It’s not easy. But he’s not doing in there yet. But those goals are ridiculous. I love Salah. But he’s not yet the best.
“Is he the best player right now in the Premier League? By a distance. On current form are you not putting Benzema there right now, with the way he is playing? What he is doing for France and at the Euros? It’s not that clear, for me.
Carragher then responds to Henry’s claim by saying ‘is that because he is French?’ to which Henry adds: “Yes, because I am watching those games.
“This is why Benzema is ahead because he has been a complete player, with goals for a long time. Salah is becoming a good (complete) player (now), not only a great goalscorer.”
It may not be under the expensive spotlight of the Premier League, but Benzema has made quite the start to the new season.
The 33-year-old is hitting the best form of his career, scoring 11 goals from 11 matches in all competitions, including eight assists along the way (transfermark).
Salah has played the same number of games in all competitions, but he has 12 goals to his name, but with four assists (transfermarkt).
It also needs to be remembered that Benzema scored in both the semi-finals and the finals of the UEFA Nations League recently, as France lifted yet another international trophy.
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