Mohamed Salah’s Poor Performance Raises Ballon d’Or Questions

LIVERPOOL, England — Mohamed Salah faced intense scrutiny after receiving a match rating of just 5.87 in Liverpool‘s recent clash against Paris Saint-Germain. The disappointing performance comes as Salah is touted as a favorite for the Ballon d’Or this year.

In the March 6 game, Salah failed to make a significant impact, completing no shots, dribbles, or key passes while losing possession 16 times. French media outlets labeled him a ‘phantom’ and ‘ghostly,’ highlighting his inability to contribute effectively against a strong PSG side.

One report from GFFN noted, ‘Salah… was a phantom. The Egyptian was uninvolved for large periods and comfortably shackled by Mendes and Pacho.’ FootMercato also criticized his performance and gave him a rating of 2.5/10, saying Salah was ‘devoured’ by opposing defender Nuno Mendes.

Despite Salah’s struggles, Liverpool managed to pull off a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from substitute Harvey Elliott, giving them a slight advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.

In a broader context, the performance raises questions about Salah’s candidacy for the Ballon d’Or. A review of the last eight winners shows that two of them also had subpar match ratings during their award-winning seasons. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s worst rating was a 6.45, while Lionel Messi‘s lowest was 6.02.

For reference, Salah’s He scored 25 goals and provided 17 assists in the Premier League this season, widely establishing himself as a front-runner for the prestigious title.

On the opposite end of the pitch, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was hailed for his performance, receiving a match rating of 9/10 for his multiple crucial saves. Manager Arne Slot praised Alisson, stating, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a goalkeeper that has played at this level, which is normal because he’s the best in the world.’

As the season progresses, fans and pundits alike will be closely watching Salah’s performances, especially as the Champions League and domestic competitions heat up. Can he bounce back and reclaim his status as a top contender for the Ballon d’Or?