Mohamed Salah has revealed why he voted for Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 FIFA Player of the Year award.
The Brazilian striker, who won La Liga and the Champions League twice with Real Madrid in an incredible 12 months recognized by his peers after controversially missing out on the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo.
The FIFA Best awards are voted for by captains of international teams around the world, allowing Salah to have his say on what has been an extraordinary year in football.
Speaking with TNT Sports MexicoSalah said of his decision to vote for the Real Madrid star: “Vinicius Junior is a very good player, that’s why! He improves every year and I hope he can continue… I voted for him because he deserves it.”
Salah could be in contention for the award next year if he maintains the form he showed in the first half of the 2024/25 season. The Egyptian was incredibly good for Liverpoolfiring Arne Slott’s side to the top of the Premier League table, while his goals in Europe helped the club top the reformatted Champions League table – the Reds boast six wins from six European games and have conceded just once.
A swollen total of 17 goals in 18 Premier League The performances also have Salah comfortably top of the division’s Golden Boot race, but he is focused on winning the title in what could be his last season at Anfield.
“In my interviews for the last seven or eight years, I always say [I want to win the] Champions League. But this is the first time I’ve said that I really want to win the Premier League with Liverpool,” Salah told Sky Sports.
“My motive this year was to win a trophy and be a big part of winning that trophy, especially the Premier League.
“I still believe the team needs a trophy. There are still half a team like me, Trent [Alexander-Arnold]Virgil [Van Dijk]Alisson, Robbo [Andy Robertson].
“We need to win one more trophy before we all leave.”
Salah’s form has inevitably led many to believe he is the favorite to win in 2025 Golden ball – a recognition he was not even close to in his brilliant career. Indeed, fifth places in the 2019 and 2022 editions are the highest accolades Salah has earned to date.
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