England and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Mohamed Salah is at the moment an overwhelming favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The Egyptian international has been a livewire for the club in the ongoing season. The Reds are closing in on securing this season’s Premier League while they are in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Carabao Cup.
Salah has scored 30 goals and 22 assists across 39 appearances in all competitions this campaign and is on course to smash countless records.
But while Ferdinand thinks Salah would be a shoo-in for the prestigious Golden Ball if it was to be awarded now, the former Manchester United defender said there is much that can still change as we approach the business end of the season.
In particular, Ferdinand thinks it could all hinge on who produces the goods when the pressure is at its highest and whether Liverpool win the Champions League.
“Right now at this moment in time, I don’t think there’s anyone else on the podium with him,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
“But I think with the way the Champions League works, as you get through the knockout stages and someone starts coming to the fore, they end up there.
“It comes down to moments in big games, really. You can throw Salah in there, you can throw [Ousmane] Dembele in there if PSG go far. [Kylian] Mbappe will be there, [as will] Vinicius [Junior] and [Jude] Bellingham.
“Whoever keeps their status and turns up in the semi-final and final will win it. If they [Liverpool] win the Champions League, I’m sure he’ll play a big part.”
