Egyptian star Mohamed Salah continues to write another chapter in his remarkable football history after becoming a familiar name in the Ballon d’Or race for the world’s best player. 🇪🇬🏆⚽
Across years of outstanding performances for his clubs and the Egypt national team, Salah has reached the Ballon d’Or shortlist on several occasions and has secured strong positions against some of the biggest stars in world football.
Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or rankings demonstrate his remarkable consistency at the highest level, particularly because he remained among the world’s leading players across multiple editions despite intense competition from names such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and other elite football stars.
⭐ The Beginning.. Sixth Place in 2018
Mohamed Salah began his Ballon d’Or journey by finishing sixth in 2018, following an outstanding season with Liverpool in which he delivered impressive performances at both domestic and European levels.
His place among the top contenders at that time represented a clear statement that Salah had entered the circle of world-class stars after developing from an Egyptian professional into one of the most dangerous attacking players in global football.
🔥 Salah Climbs Higher in 2019
Salah’s strong performances did not stop with his first appearance. He moved one step higher in 2019, finishing fifth in the Ballon d’Or ranking.
That came amid another strong period with Liverpool, during which he continued to contribute to the team’s important results and achievements.
The ranking provided further confirmation that Salah was not simply a temporary candidate but a player capable of maintaining a presence among the leading contenders for the award. 🏆
🚫 Award Canceled in 2020
The year 2020 brought an exceptional development when the Ballon d’Or award was canceled, meaning no official edition was held that year.
Salah continued producing strong performances for Liverpool during that period, but the Ballon d’Or race itself did not take place before returning the following year.
⚽ Seventh Place in 2021
Salah returned strongly to the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2021, finishing seventh in the final standings.
Although he dropped slightly compared with his 2019 position, remaining among the top 10 players in the world was another indication of his consistency and his ability to maintain his place among the elite.
⭐ Fifth Place Again in 2022
Mohamed Salah returned to fifth place in the 2022 edition, matching one of his best previous rankings.
The position once again demonstrated his consistency, particularly with his continued scoring record and major influence at Liverpool.
By that stage, it was clear that the Egyptian star had become a regular part of the discussions surrounding the best footballers in the world. 🔥
📉 Drop to 11th in 2023
In the 2023 edition, Salah dropped to 11th place.
Despite the decline, he remained part of the global conversation and stayed relatively close to the top players, highlighting the intense competition for the award and the changing evaluation factors from one year to another.
🚫 Missing From the 2024 Shortlist
Mohamed Salah was absent from the Ballon d’Or shortlist in 2024, ending his run of appearances in the award race during that period.
However, the absence did not last long, as the Egyptian star returned strongly and achieved the best ranking of his Ballon d’Or career afterward.
🚀 Best-Ever Finish.. Fourth in 2025
The 2025 edition produced Mohamed Salah’s best Ballon d’Or ranking after he finished fourth.
The achievement represented a major milestone for the Egypt captain because it placed him close to the podium and reinforced his status as one of the world’s leading players during that stage of his career.
Finishing fourth was also major recognition of the consistency Salah displayed over many years through goals, assists and his influence on his team’s results.
❌ Salah Misses the 2026 Shortlist
Despite achieving his best-ever ranking in 2025, Mohamed Salah was left out of the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist.
The absence represents a notable contrast, particularly after the player achieved his highest ranking in the previous edition. At the same time, it reflects the nature of the award, whose nominees change according to evaluations of performances, achievements and the relevant assessment period.
📊 Salah’s Ballon d’Or Rankings
Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or journey can be summarized as follows:
2018: Sixth place.
2019: Fifth place.
2020: Award canceled.
2021: Seventh place.
2022: Fifth place.
2023: 11th place.
2024: Not shortlisted.
2025: Fourth place.
2026: Not shortlisted.
The list demonstrates Salah’s strong presence in the Ballon d’Or race throughout his career, especially because he secured high positions in multiple editions and reached fourth place as his best-ever finish.
🇪🇬 What Does This Mean for Egyptian Football?
Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or achievements represent more than an individual success. They carry major significance for Egyptian and Arab football.
Repeatedly reaching the list of the world’s best players demonstrates that an Egyptian footballer can compete at the highest level and provides younger generations with an important example to follow.
Finishing fourth in the award also represents a significant milestone in the history of Arab participation in the Ballon d’Or. ⭐
🏆 Salah Between Consistency and Competition
The most impressive aspect of Mohamed Salah’s journey is not only his highest ranking but also his ability to return to the race after periods of lower rankings or absence.
Moving from sixth to fifth, then seventh and fifth again before reaching fourth, his career demonstrates the story of a player who remained within the elite circle for many years.
🔥 Why Does Salah’s Name Remain in the Ballon d’Or Conversation?
Mohamed Salah’s name remains closely connected to the Ballon d’Or because of his ability to make a difference, his consistency in scoring goals and his impact with Liverpool and Egypt.
As a result, his presence in the award race has become an event followed by a huge audience, not only in Egypt but also among football fans around the world.
🏁 Conclusion
The journey of Mohamed Salah in the Ballon d’Or rankings reveals the extraordinary career of an Egyptian star who managed to establish himself among the world’s elite for years, moving from sixth place in 2018 to his best-ever finish of fourth in 2025. 🇪🇬🔥🏆
Despite missing the 2026 shortlist, the numbers and history remain proof of the position reached by the Egypt captain throughout his professional career.
📢 What do you consider Mohamed Salah’s greatest Ballon d’Or ranking? And did you expect to see him among the 2026 nominees? Share your opinion and your predictions for his next chapter. ⚽⭐🇪🇬
