Alan Shearer has predicted that Mohamed Salah could win the Ballon d'Or - if Liverpool wins the Premier League and Champions League this season.
The Egyptian forward has been in spectacular form during the current campaign, with his Man of the Match display in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth his latest virtuoso showing. The 32-year-old's memorable brace earned the Reds all three points at the Vitality Stadium as he took his tally to 21 goals and 13 assists so far this term.
In total, the Kop hero has grabbed an astonishing 27 goals and 17 assists across just 36 appearances in all competitions during 2024-25. Now, Match of the Day analyst Shearer has tipped the Liverpool talisman to potentially earn the ultimate individual accolade of the Ballon d'Or later this year.
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With the Merseysiders currently sitting at the top of the Premier League, their passage to the last-16 of the Champions League will have supporters dreaming of a historic end to the season. For ex-Newcastle and Blackburn marksman Shearer, Salah could become the first Liverpool player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen if they do win both of those honors.
The pundit pointed to the Anfield legend's latest heroics in the win over Bournemouth as evidence that he will take some stopping this term. During an interview with Betfair, Shearer opined: "Mo Salah got another two goals at the weekend and he's having a great season.
"If Liverpool were to win the Premier League and Champions League, and you wouldn't put it past them, then he could be on for the Ballon d'Or. He's never been involved in that talk before but how do you stop him? Perhaps a little bit of luck, you've got to double and sometimes treble up which is very difficult because you leave the space for other players."
Meanwhile, Shearer waded into the ongoing discourse regarding Salah's contract standoff with the Reds, with the winger yet to sign a new deal with his current employers. As things stand, the attacker will be able to depart Anfield for free at the end of this season if he fails to commit to fresh terms.
The former England captain admitted that he has been left nonplussed by the lack of a resolution when it comes to the Egyptian's future, saying: "He's a great player and great player's often get what they want. Arne Slot has been speaking about the contract situation with Salah and the big question is what is going to happen?"
Shearer added: "I honestly haven't got a clue what the hold up is, why he won't sign...They've also got Trent and Van Dijk in that position but it's not affecting their play at this moment in time.
"I said a few months ago that when it hits January, February and March, as an elite athlete, you have to be at it all the time but if you're coming towards the end of your contract and you still haven't signed, there has to be a tiny bit of you that thinks 'what if the worst happens here?' in terms of injuries. What their minds are thinking I don't know but it's not affecting them or Liverpool yet."
