Ivorian football icon Yaya Touré has declared Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah the best player in the world, voicing his frustration over the lack of recognition the Egyptian forward continues to face despite years of elite-level performances.
Speaking to beIN Sports, Touré, a three-time Premier League champion with Manchester City and four-time African Ballon d’Or winner, openly criticised the consistent snubbing of Salah for the coveted Ballon d’Or award.
“For me, yes, Salah is the best player in the world,” Touré insisted. “We have to give him the Ballon d’Or. Without disrespecting the other candidates, Salah deserves it.”
Since arriving at Liverpool in 2017, Salah has transformed into one of the Premier League’s most lethal forwards.
His speed, technical brilliance, and clinical finishing have seen him break numerous records, helping Liverpool secure major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020.
Yet despite his remarkable consistency and goal-scoring feats, global recognition in the form of the Ballon d’Or has continually eluded him—something Touré finds baffling.
“People talk about consistency,” Touré emphasised. “I’ve seen players overrated after their first season, and people rush to label them the best.
But this guy, year after year, has been so consistent with Liverpool, and still, people find a way to talk about him differently. Sometimes I’m so shocked by these people. I don’t understand. He deserves respect.”
Salah’s numbers speak for themselves. Since joining Liverpool, he has been the club’s top scorer in almost every season, has set records in the Champions League, and remains a constant threat in the Premier League.
Beyond his statistics, his leadership on the pitch and his role as a symbol of pride for millions, particularly across Africa and the Arab world, have elevated him beyond the status of a mere goal scorer.
The debate over the Ballon d’Or has long been contentious, with critics often pointing out its bias toward players from certain leagues or clubs and its tendency to reward short-term success over long-term consistency.
Touré’s comments echo the sentiments of many who believe Salah has been overlooked for too long.
The Egyptian’s impact isn’t confined to club football. His contributions to the Egyptian national team, guiding them to the 2018 World Cup and leading deep runs in the Africa Cup of Nations, further solidify his place among football’s elite.
For Touré, the continued sidelining of Salah in global awards circles reflects a broader issue of how footballing excellence is measured.
“Players like Salah, who show up every season, who deliver every week, deserve their flowers,” Touré said.
“It’s not just about one great season or one big moment—it’s about consistency, leadership, and impact. Salah has all of that.”
As Salah continues to add to his impressive legacy at Liverpool, the calls for his long-overdue global recognition grow louder.
Whether the Ballon d’Or finally finds its way to him remains uncertain, but in the eyes of Yaya Touré, the debate is already settled—Mohamed Salah is the best player in the world.
🗣️ Yaya Touré : « Salah est le meilleur joueur du monde.
Je ne comprends pas comment on peut surcoter certains joueurs après une seule bonne saison et mal parler de Salah, qui est tellement fort et constant depuis si longtemps. » 🇪🇬pic.twitter.com/fK3o0MvHKg— Onze Masr 🇪🇬 (@onzemasr) February 23, 2025
