Thierry Henry thinks it’s going to be ‘difficult’ for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
The legendary striker thinks that international tournaments, and how players perform in them, are now having a big say in who wins that coveted individual prize.
That was proven when Lionel Messi, after a standard season in the colours of PSG, proceeded to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and proved to be one of the best players in the tournament – and then went on to win a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or.
Thierry Henry thinks the upcoming Euros in Germany will stand higher than what happens at the Africa Cup of Nations, which doesn’t bode well for Egypt star Mohamed Salah, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (08/11/23 at 7:40 pm).
Once again, the Liverpool superstar has started the season like a house on fire and there is every chance he could win multiple trophies this term, both on the domestic and international stage.
But when Thierry Henry and Co. were discussing who is going to lift the Ballon d’Or now that it won’t be Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, he brought up the name of Mohamed Salah.
Mohamed Salah – Ballon d’Or
On international football being increasingly significant in the way the Ballon d’Or is handed out: “The year of a big tournament, yes it is,” said Henry.
“It’s difficult for Mo Salah, for example, I saw him on the list, although you are going to have the Africa Cup of Nations. But people watch the Euros. The impact of the Euros is different. The impact of the World Cup is different.
“It’s just because it’s a big tournament, if you perform and if you have a great season like Bellingham at Real Madrid, then it’s over.”
Mohamed Salah’s form
There is every chance that this could be Salah’s final season in the colours of Liverpool, even if the fans don’t want it to happen.
That Saudi door will be knocked again and it will be interesting to see how, not only Liverpool react if a big wad of cash is put on their table, but how Salah reacts also.
Either way, the 31-year-old, to the surprise of no-one, has been Liverpool’s best player this season, with perhaps the inconsistent defence the only thing holding the team back from properly challenging for the Premier League title.
As of this moment, the Reds are in that race. But the real stuff starts post-February and you just have to question if Liverpool will still be in the fight then.
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