Salah 'denied' Ballon d'Or for 'political reasons' - says Babel

FORMER Liverpool winger Ryan Babel believes Mohamed Salah was denied the 2025 Ballon d'Or award due to ‘political reasons.’

- By PAUL GORST

And the former Reds star believes Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong would be an ideal addition to Arne Slot's squad.

Salah finished fourth in last month's Ballon d'Or awards, with Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele scooping the prestigious gong ahead of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, PSG midfielder Vitinha and Salah, who was not part of the Liverpool contingent who were present at the Theatre du Chatelet on the night in the French capital.

Egypt captain Salah scored 34 times in all competitions that included 31 in the Premier League as Slot’s side breezed to the title by 10 points. Liverpool's last-16 exit to PSG on penalties in the Champions League, however, likely counted against him in the overall voting.