Arne Slot believes that Mohamed Salah‘s chances of winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or will significantly improve if Liverpool secures silverware this season.
Salah has been in exceptional form throughout the campaign, most recently registering his 40th and 41st goal contributions of the Premier League season in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday.
His impact has been remarkable. The Egyptian has now scored and assisted in 49 separate league matches in his career across Europe’s top five leagues. Since Opta began collecting this data in 2006-07, only Lionel Messi (102) and Cristiano Ronaldo (65) have achieved this more times.
Additionally, Salah has scored and assisted in 11 league games this season, extending the Premier League record and becoming the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to achieve this feat since Messi for Barcelona in 2014-15.
Liverpool’s Trophies Could Be the Key to Salah’s Ballon d’Or Bid
Liverpool’s win over City has put them 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League. However, Arsenal, in second place, has a game in hand. The Reds have also reached the EFL Cup final and are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16.
Speaking about Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances, Slot emphasized the importance of winning trophies:
“It’s mostly about the tekkers, isn’t it? It’s a good thing that Mo is in the discussion because it means he is doing well, and we are doing well. But for him to stay in that discussion, he should keep delivering the same performances he’s been doing for the past seven or eight months.”
“In general, someone who wins the Ballon d’Or needs to win something as well. So, it’s a great challenge ahead of us and ahead of him.”
Slot also praised Salah’s work ethic, particularly in the victory over City:
“What I like is that he takes this challenge by not only scoring a big goal and a great assist against Man City, but he also wanted the team to win because his defensive work rate, especially in the second half, was outstanding.”
“That is what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something. And if we as a team win something, he will have a far better chance to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Salah’s Future at Liverpool: Contract Talks Heating Up
Ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle United at Anfield on Wednesday, Slot addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding Salah’s future at the club.
Salah, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has a contract that expires this summer. The uncertainty surrounding their futures has been a major talking point this season.
“You can look at it both ways—because the better he does, the more expensive he may become. But if he was doing badly, we would be having second thoughts about extending his contract.”
“Maybe for the one who has to pay him, it isn’t the best situation, but for everyone else, it is. If you want to play at this club, you need to be at his level; otherwise, you’re almost useless here.”
Slot concluded by reiterating the high standards required to play for Liverpool:
“We only need players that are at the top of their game because this is one of the best—if not the best—club in the world to play for. He needs to have these performances to play here and hopefully to extend here.”
Final Thoughts
With Liverpool competing on multiple fronts, Salah’s Ballon d’Or hopes will depend on the club’s success in winning trophies. If he maintains his current form and Liverpool wins silverware, his chances of lifting football’s most prestigious individual award will increase dramatically.
As for his future at Anfield, negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming months. However, with Salah still performing at an elite level, it is clear that Liverpool will do everything possible to secure his long-term stay.
