Former Liverpool Star Snubs Mohamed Salah in Controversial Call | OneFootball

Salah’s Legacy Debated as Diouf Chooses Hakimi Over Liverpool Star

Mohamed Salah’s record-shattering season with Liverpool should, by any reasonable metric, place him firmly among football’s elite. Having helped deliver a historic Premier League title under Arne Slot, the Egyptian produced staggering numbers — 47 goal contributions in a 38-game campaign, a feat unmatched in league history. Golden Boot winner, Playmaker of the Season, and Liverpool’s go-to talisman when it mattered most, Salah has arguably never been better.

Yet, not everyone is convinced.

Diouf’s Surprise Pick Sparks Debate

Former Liverpool forward El Hadji Diouf has reignited a familiar controversy. Known for his outspoken views and tempestuous history with the club, Diouf has now declared that Salah, despite his heroics, should not be crowned African Player of the Year.

“This year is definitely Hakimi,” Diouf said in a recent ESPN UK TikTok clip. “I love Salah so much, he did very good things this year but I think the best player in Africa this season [is Hakimi]. He has won everything and it was magical, he was one of the biggest guys for PSG as a second captain, so I think Hakimi deserves it.”

Photo: IMAGO

Diouf’s comments will not be warmly received in Liverpool. The comparison between Salah, a relentless goalscoring machine, and Achraf Hakimi, an outstanding full-back for Paris Saint-Germain, reflects deeper disagreements over what constitutes individual excellence in football.

Recognition Gap for Salah Grows Wider

What’s particularly perplexing for Liverpool supporters is that this snub isn’t isolated. Salah has also been overlooked in Ballon d’Or conversations, where names like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele have taken precedence among pundits.

The numbers offer a stark counterpoint. In all competitions this season, Salah scored 34 goals and laid on 23 assists from 52 appearances. Raphinha, in comparison, also scored 34 but required five extra matches and played in a more dominant Barcelona side. Lamine Yamal and Dembele both trail Salah in output and consistency.

Despite this, Salah’s own teammates appear split. Ibrahima Konate threw his support behind Dembele, while Ryan Gravenberch believes Salah’s season warrants Ballon d’Or consideration. The internal disagreement speaks to the crowded nature of the elite football landscape, but also perhaps to Salah’s underappreciated brilliance.

Salah’s Motivation Unshaken by Awards

Liverpool’s title triumph under Arne Slot was not only a tactical masterclass but also a testament to Salah’s enduring influence. His goals came when Liverpool needed them most, often in tightly contested matches, and his creativity ensured others around him thrived.

El Hadji Diouf’s comments may stir headlines, but they do little to diminish Salah’s place in Liverpool’s modern mythology. If anything, they will add fuel to the fire as Salah prepares for yet another chapter. Whether or not the awards follow, he remains central to Liverpool’s ambition and identity.