Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hailed Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.

The forward has scored 30 goals in 39 games this season as the Reds top the Premier League. And reach the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals.

“At the moment, in the moment, I don’t think there’s anybody standing on the podium with him,” Ferdinand said.

However, Rio believes the 32-year-old will miss out on the Ballon d’Or if the Reds don’t win anything. Or at least progress further in the big tournament. “

I think the way the Champions League is, if you get to the knockout stages and someone excels then they’re going to end up there เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย [in the running]. “

But Salah is the outright favourite for the Ballon d’Or based on the betting, ahead of Mbappe, Vinicius, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

A Liverpool player has not won the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, while the last African to win the prize was Liberian George Weah in 1995.

The 2025 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony will take place on October 27.

It depends on the moments in the big games. You can throw Salah in there, you can throw (Ousmane) Dembele in there, if PSG go big, Mbappe will be there, Vinicius and Bellingham as well. “

Whoever maintains their status and performs in the semi-final or the final will win the trophy. “

If they (Liverpool) win the Champions League, I’m sure he (Salah) will be a big part of it.”