“Salah Snubbed?” — Fans Erupt After Liverpool Star Finishes 4th in Ballon d’Or 2025

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has sparked heated debate after finishing 4th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, with many fans and pundits claiming the Egyptian star deserved a higher spot.

The controversy erupted as PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé lifted the award, while Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland rounded out the top three. Critics argue Salah’s individual brilliance and consistent numbers were once again undervalued.

Key Tactical Shifts

• Salah was Liverpool’s standout performer, carrying the attack through crucial Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
• His influence extended beyond goals, with leadership and creativity shaping Liverpool’s season.
• Despite Liverpool’s trophy struggles, Salah’s numbers outshone several higher-ranked rivals.

Why It Matters

The Ballon d’Or has often been accused of bias toward players in bigger European markets or clubs with recent Champions League success. Salah’s snub fuels arguments that African players remain underappreciated on the global stage despite elite performance levels.

Player and Manager Insights

While Salah himself kept calm, fans online were far from silent. One Liverpool supporter wrote:

“How does Salah finish 4th again? Without him, Liverpool would collapse. This award is politics, not football.”

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher also weighed in:

“Salah’s consistency year after year is unmatched. To put him 4th is madness.”

Opponent Context

• Ousmane Dembélé’s Champions League-winning season boosted him to 1st place.
• Lionel Messi’s Copa América heroics once again influenced voters.
• Erling Haaland’s goalscoring records made him impossible to overlook.

But many believe Salah’s lack of team silverware unfairly held him back.

Stats and Data

• Salah scored 27 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions in 2024/25.
• He was Liverpool’s top scorer for the 7th consecutive season.
• Google Trends show “Salah Ballon d’Or snub” spiking globally within minutes of the rankings announcement.

Conclusion

Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or snub reignites the debate over fairness, bias, and recognition in world football. While Dembélé celebrates his golden triumph, many believe Salah was once again robbed of the spotlight he truly deserves.