Mohamed Salah has been excluded from the 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees list, marking his second consecutive absence from football's most prestigious individual award. France Football and UEFA revealed the shortlist on Tuesday, with the Egyptian winger's omission reflecting a dramatic decline in both club performances and personal output over the past season.
The 34-year-old's struggles at Liverpool last season painted a stark contrast to his previous dominance. Across 41 matches in all competitions, Salah managed just 12 goals—a significant drop from his 34-goal haul in 52 appearances the prior campaign. In the Premier League specifically, he contributed only 7 goals, a return that fell well short of the standards he had set during his five years at Anfield. Despite Liverpool's title-winning campaign, Salah's individual performances failed to capture the attention of Ballon d'Or voters.
International Glory Cannot Rescue Salah's Candidacy
Even Egypt's historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup Round of 16—a first for the nation—could not work in Salah's favour. The forward appeared in five matches at the tournament during summer 2026, scoring once and providing two assists. His impact on the international stage, while contributing to a landmark achievement, proved insufficient to sway voters who prioritize elite club performances and consistent goal output.
This marks only the second time Salah has missed the Ballon d'Or shortlist in recent years. He was also absent from the 2024 edition, won by Spain's Rodri. However, Salah's track record shows sustained excellence across six previous nominations, all earned during his Liverpool years. His finest moment came in 2025, when he finished fourth after helping Liverpool reclaim the Premier League title—a position that represented his closest challenge yet for the award. He has previously finished fifth (2019, 2022), sixth (2018), seventh (2021), and 11th (2023).
The Path Forward Looks Bleak
Now at Trabzonspor in Turkey's Super Lig, Salah faces an uphill battle to revive his Ballon d'Or credentials. The Turkish club lacks the competitive status of elite European sides, offering little platform for the offensive statistics that traditionally impress award voters. At 34 years old and playing outside Europe's top five leagues, Salah appears unlikely to mount another serious challenge for an honour that once seemed within his grasp. Yet as he begins a new chapter in Turkey, the question remains whether the former Liverpool star can rediscover the form that made him one of football's most devastating attacking talents.
