Carragher Dismisses Salah Balon d’or Chances | OneFootball

Carragher Backs Dembele Over Salah for Ballon d’Or Glory

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has sparked discussion with his Ballon d’Or predictions, tipping Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Salah enjoyed a record-breaking season last term, playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph during Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge. With 34 goals and 23 assists across 52 appearances, the Egyptian forward was widely regarded as a leading contender for European football’s top individual accolade.

Champions League Impact on Ballon d’Or Race

Liverpool’s impressive Champions League run only strengthened Salah’s claim, yet PSG’s quarterfinal victory over the Reds allowed rivals like Barcelona’s Raphinha and Dembele to gain traction. As the Ballon d’Or winner prepares to be announced this Monday, Carragher and CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry have publicly backed Dembele for the award.

Henry made his position clear during a discussion on potential winners, saying, “Very different [a picture of six Dembeles then pops up]. Those are my six contenders, I don’t even have to talk.”

Carragher’s own selection was more nuanced. While acknowledging Salah’s extraordinary campaign, he highlighted Dembele’s contribution to PSG’s domestic success and Champions League progress as decisive factors.

“I think, for me, they’re the top six players [Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Kylian Mbappe, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, and Lamine Yamal] who I think I watched for the majority of last season, probably in this competition, also for their club form as well,” Carragher explained. “I think it will be Dembele on the back of the sort of season that Paris Saint-Germain had as well, but all of those players have got a decent shout [of winning the Ballon d’Or].”

Photo: IMAGO

Public Exchange Highlights Club Dynamics

The discussion comes amid a history of public exchanges between Carragher and Salah, particularly during contract negotiations earlier this year. During an episode of ‘Monday Night Football,’ the former Liverpool defender praised teammate Virgil van Dijk while offering a measured comment on Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“You know what I would say. I would say Virgil van Dijk has come out of this whole sort of situation this season as captain of the club in a higher esteem for me,” Carragher said. “In the way he’s conducted himself, in the way of his performances on the pitch, in the way he’s led the team. The way he was yesterday as well and he hasn’t got involved in too much around this all. It’s obviously a really important time for all three players. But I think rather than speak about Trent Alexander-Arnold or Mo Salah I’d probably like to pay tribute to Virgil van Dijk. I think he’s come across as a real statesman. I think the way he’s handled it. He’s been asked questions and he’s not been away, he’s here to win league and he’s doing his utmost for Liverpool. And fingers crossed, he signs. But I think the other two could maybe look at Virgil van Dijk and take a leaf out of his book.”

Salah responded with characteristic humour on social media, quote-tweeting the segment with: “I’m starting to think you’re obsessed with me.”

Implications for Liverpool and Salah

Carragher’s endorsement of Dembele over Salah may raise eyebrows among Liverpool supporters, but it underlines the competitive nature of the Ballon d’Or, where team success, individual statistics, and European campaigns all influence voting. Salah’s consistency and role in Liverpool’s Premier League victory remain undeniable, yet Carragher’s analysis shows the importance placed on Champions League performance and broader club achievements.

Liverpool fans will closely follow the announcement, with the hope that Salah’s contributions in 2024/25 secure him a place among Europe’s elite, despite stiff competition from the likes of Dembele, Mbappe, and Raphinha. The Ballon d’Or race not only recognises individual brilliance but also highlights the influence of collective club achievements, with Liverpool and PSG at the forefront of the conversation.