Carragher explains why Salah missed out on the Ballon d’Or

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has delivered his opinion on why Egypt international Mohamed Salah missed out on the Ballon d’Or.

Despite producing one of the greatest individual seasons in English football history during 2024-25 campaign to help fire Arne Slot’s team to Premier League glory, the Egyptian captain finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or voting, drawing a dignified response from both the player and Liverpool.

According to Carragher, Salah’s fate to win the coveted individual award, was sealed after he failed to lift the team past Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

‘I do feel the biggest trophies play a part’

“I go back to something I said that obviously caused a big storm at the time about the African Cup of Nations, but whether we like it or not, I do feel the biggest trophies play a part,” Carragher told The Overlap.

He added: “Normally around a World Cup year or a Euro year, whoever is player of the tournament would more often than not get the trophy.

“So I think the Champions League also plays a big part. I think if Liverpool beat Paris Saint-Germain in that game, Liverpool maybe get to the semis and he might win it, who knows! But I do think he probably would have got it.”

Salah was the highest finisher among the four Liverpool players, who had been named on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious prize.

Last season, he topped the charts for both goals scored (29) and assists provided (18) in the division, being named its Player of the Season and collecting the FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Players’ Player of the Year honours.

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