For many years the Ballon d’Or was dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, however, it appears now that the race for the award is as competitive as ever.
In October 2024, Manchester City’s Rodri somewhat controversially won the coveted prize ahead of Champions League winner and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
This season however, the UEFA Champions League could once again prove vital in deciding who wins the race for the prestigious trophy this time around.
Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is being discussed as the favourite for the Ballon d’Or this season and pundit Rio Ferdinand believes that to achieve that fate, he must achieve something pretty monumental.
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Rio Ferdinand says Mo Salah must secure double to win the Ballon d’Or
The former Manchester United and legendary Premier League defender says that Salah must secure a Premier League and Champions League double with Liverpool to secure the Ballon d’Or.
“I think it would be very difficult to win it [Ballon d’Or] without winning the Champions League unless he goes on an unreal run and scores one or two goals in every knockout game,” Ferdinand begins on the Rio Reacts podcast.
The English pundit then went on to compare Cristiano Ronaldo’s first award win to the potential of the Egyptians.
Rio continued: “Cristiano Ronaldo had two or three incredible seasons in the Premier League, but only won it the year he won the Champions League [2008/09].”
Mohamed Salah is probably having his best season to date
So could Salah win the Ballon d’Or? Yes. The high-flying Egyptian is having an incredible season, having registered a ridiculous 44 g/a in just 29 games in the Premier League as well as a combined seven g/a in eight Champions League games.
Salah, 32, is enjoying his best scoring season for Liverpool since his maiden campaign in 2017/18 when he recorded 32 goals and 10 assists in 36 top-flight matches, also notching a staggering 11 goals and four assists in 15 Champions League games. And counting.
With the Premier League title all but secured with Liverpool sitting 15 points clear ahead of second-placed Arsenal, it’s now down to the European stage.
Salah’s highest Ballon d’Or ranking was when he came 5th in both 2019 and 2022, which is coincidently when Liverpool reached the final of the Champions League, which would suggest that Ferdinand is correct in saying that going the whole way, could secure the prestigious individual award for the Egyptian.
The post Rio Ferdinand tells Mo Salah exactly what he must do to win the Ballon d’Or, makes Cristiano Ronaldo comparison appeared first on HITC.
