Arne Slot's favorite for the African Ballon d'Or revealed! | OneFootball

African Ballon d'Or 2025: Arne Slot names his favorite among Salah, Hakimi and Osimhen

Salah, Hakimi and Osimhen / @x.com/LeaguesReporter

The African Football Confederation (CAF) on Wednesday unveiled the final shortlist of players in contention for the 2025 African Player of the Year award.

This year's race for the African Ballon d'Or is down to ten contenders:

Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Galatasaray), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain), André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon, Napoli), Fiston Ibrahim Mayele (Democratic Republic of Congo, Pyramids FC), Denis Bouanga (Gabon, Los Angeles FC), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea, Borussia Dortmund), Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal, Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal, Tottenham Hotspur) and Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco, Renaissance de Berkane).

Arne Slot backs Salah for the African Ballon d'Or

In this context, Arne Slot, the Dutch manager of Liverpool, shared his thoughts on who should take home the coveted prize.

Speaking to English outlet “Anfield Index”, he praised Achraf Hakimi's outstanding season, but emphasized that "statistically, no player scored or assisted more goals than Mohamed Salah in the Premier League last season."

Slot concluded: "Mohamed Salah had an exceptional season. If I had a vote for the African Ballon d'Or, without hesitation my choice would be Mohamed Salah."