No Liverpool players have been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award , with superstars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk left out of the top 30 men's nominees.
Egyptian superstar Salah, 32, has been left out of the running for the individual honor despite helping the Reds reclaim the EFL Cup to go alongside his 25 goals and 14 assists across all competitions between the Aug. 2023 and July 2024 threshold.
Salah 's highest finish in the Ballon d'Or remains fifth, where he has finished twice, despite outrageous goal-scoring campaigns and Premier League and Champions League-winning exploits. The winger is set to depart Liverpool next summer unless new terms on a contract are agreed.
Salah himself has admitted he has not had negotiations over fresh terms , and he is looking like one of several high-profile Reds stars to leave in 2025, leaving new manager Arne Slot with a massive rebuild. Defender Van Dijk , who has come closest to winning the Ballon d'Or out of any of the current Liverpool roster when he finished second behind Lionel Messi in 2019, was also snubbed.
READ MORE: Luis Diaz sends emotional plea to Mohamed Salah after Liverpool contract admission
READ MORE: Martin Zubimendi breaks silence on Liverpool transfer drama after rejecting Arne Slot
The Dutch defender is universally regarded as one of the best defenders in world football. The likes of Manchester City's Ruben Dias have been named inside the top 30, as has former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who helped the Germany side reach last season's Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Like Salah, Van Dijk will also be out of contract at Anfield next summer, which could see him close the curtain on a trophy-laden career in Merseyside. Goalkeeper Alisson will also become a free agent, and the Reds have seemingly already secured his long-term replacement, with Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili joining next summer.
"I'm very calm. I want to play the best season I can again. I want to be important and stay important for the club this year," Van Dijk said on his contract situation following the Premier League win over Brentford. "Whatever happens next year, we will see.
"Everything happens for a reason is how I see it and for now there have been no changes in my situation, but I am very calm about it and there's no reason for me to start thinking of something else because I have a whole season to play for still and hopefully it will be a successful one."
The last, and only, Liverpool player to win the Ballon d'Or while at the club is Michael Owen, who won the 2001 edition of the award. Owen was just 22 years old when he stepped up and claimed the Golden Ball.
City's Rodri is set to be inside the top three for the award, and he'll go toe-to-toe with Real's Vinicius Jr. and Englishman Jude Bellingham. The winner is set to be revealed next month in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet.
Most Popular
Comments / 0