Dave Hendrick, host of the Daily Red blog, which covers Liverpool news, believes that Egyptian star Mohamed Salah is subject to “racism” in the Ballon d’Or race because of his nationality, as Arab and African players are often overlooked for the award.
Mohamed Salah’s name appears to be a candidate for the Best Player in the World award, amid competition from Barcelona players Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, and Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé.
Hendrick said on the podcast: “There is a bias against Mohamed. Salah’s achievements are not treated the same as those of other players. I think the biggest problem he faces in winning the Best Player in the World award is his Egyptian nationality. There is ‘racism’ towards Arab and African players when this issue is discussed.”
He continued: “Mohamed Salah has had an exceptional season. If we look at his competitor, Ousmane Dembele, for example, he plays in a less competitive league, and his team dominates the competitions there in France.”
He continued: “Rafinha, for example, had a good season, but he wasn’t as influential as Salah in the strongest league in the world. As for Lamine Yamal, whom I consider a distinguished player, he doesn’t deserve the Ballon d’Or. He can’t even be considered Barcelona’s best player, let alone awarded the Ballon d’Or over Salah. If that happened, it would be ridiculous.”
Salah led Liverpool to the Premier League title, while the Barcelona duo won the domestic treble with their respective clubs, while Dembele won the Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France with Paris Saint-Germain.