Former Everton manager Sam Allardyce has claimed Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has "no chance" of winning the Ballon d'Or this year as the organisers will want to make amends for Real Madrid's no-show at the last ceremony.

Despite winning the title of Best Men's club, the sulking European Super League advocates failed to turn up for the awards after Vinicius Jnr missed out on the gong of being named the best player to Manchester City midfielder and Euro 2024 winner Rodri.

Mohamed Salah is regarded as a front-runner for the next Ballon d'Or after an astonishing campaign in which he has thus far scored 30 goals and provided 21 assists in 38 appearances in helping Liverpool move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League, progress to the Champions League round of 16 and reach next month's League Cup final.

But one-time England boss Allardyce is convinced the award will be heading to the Bernabeu for fear of the Spanish side once again not bothering to attend.

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“There’s no chance," he said of Salah winning.

You might as well have a bet on it now.”

Speaking alongside Allardyce on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend believes Salah should claim the award.

“With Mo Salah, you can tell physically, he’s the same as he was 10 years ago," he said.

“As he’s got older, he doesn’t try and do stuff he’s not particularly good at, he stays where his team-mates can find him and when he gets the chance he always produces.

“What will decide if Salah wins the Ballon d’Or is ultimately how successful Liverpool end up being.

They will probably need the Champions League as well as the Premier League.”


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