He has a number of collective and individual awards, with the Premier and the Champions League titles on the top of the list, but Mohamed Salah wants more – he wants Ballon d’Or, and he wants it this year. The Liverpool forward spoke openly to France Football and admitted he wants the award, even thou Karim Benzema is tipped to win it this season. The Frenchman not only scored 44 goals in 46 club games, but also won La Liga and the Champions League, with his goals being the crucial one in many games. Unlike last season, when Lionel Messi surprisingly won Ballon d’Or ahead of Robert Lewandowski, it seems that this year, there will be no mistake.Mohamed Salah to France Football: “If I don’t win the Ballon D’Or in 2022 I’ll do everything to win the next one. I want my opponent to say to himself, ‘Damn, him again!’ My goal is that he doesn’t have time to recover. He must feel threatened every moment for 90 minutes.” pic.twitter.com/Oeg7wP9qFq— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) June 11, 2022 But, Mohamed Salah is not giving up hope, despite only winning two cups in England this season. His goal is to win the prise and be the only second African winner, apart from George Weah who did it in 1995.”It’s great to hear Karim’s name mentioned for the next Ballon d’Or. I’m not denying it, I want to be recognized as the best player in the world. And the Ballon d’Or is number one of my goals. If I succeed, I will aim for a second one. This hunger, it comes from deep within me, I do not need a coach or anyone to satisfy it. It’s true that I was shocked by my 2021 ranking”, admits the Egyptian. In last year’s ranking, he finished seventh, behind Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Jorginho, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Cristiano Ronaldo.22.00: (1.60) Egypt (3.60) Guinea (7.75)This season, Salah scored 31 goals and 16 assists for Liverpool, and also won the FA and Carabao Cup, but failed to win the championship or the Champions League. He also failed to win the AFCON and to participate in this year’s World Cup, but still believes he could win. And he needs the award not only for themselves, but for the African people too.”For this year, this defeat against Real Madrid is certainly a handicap, even if I had a good match in the final. But it does not cancel everything which I have realized for months. Let’s wait for the vote of the jury. And if I am not Ballon d’Or in 2022, I will do everything to be the next one. Such a reward given to an Egyptian would have a considerable impact in the Middle East and also in Africa. The hundreds of millions of inhabitants of these countries would understand that they can accomplish the most extraordinary things. Because, I, who come from a village in Egypt, I succeeded. (…) I imagine the reaction of my compatriots if I come to present the Ballon d’Or in Egypt” explained Salah. The award ceremony is scheduled for October 17th. Let’s wait until then.
