Salah Eyes Soccer Immortality: Liverpool Star Could Join Messi, Ronaldo, and Pele in Elite Award Circle Despite Club Tensions

In an unfortunate coincidence of timing, Mohamed Salah has been included on the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year just as he becomes embroiled in a heated dispute following his recent public statements.

The Liverpool star striker was excluded from Arne Slot's Champions League lineup for Tuesday's match against Inter Milan after delivering a lengthy seven-and-a-half-minute outburst criticizing the Dutch manager and the entire club.

Salah expressed frustration over what he perceived as disrespectful treatment after being relegated to the bench for three consecutive Premier League matches and stated that his relationship with Slot had deteriorated. Liverpool's head coach responded decisively by excluding his key player from the European away fixture, maintaining that while he remains "courteous," he is "not submissive."

While arriving at Liverpool's deserted training facility for an individual workout—and photo opportunities—Salah discovered he was among six international sports figures nominated for recognition at this month's prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.

Joining the embattled Liverpool striker, Arsenal Women's player Mariona Caldentey earned her nomination for contributing to the Gunners' Champions League triumph and Spain's journey to the European Championship final this past summer.

Pole vaulting sensation Armand Duplantis has received another opportunity to retain his World Sports Star crown while American track and field standout Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani were also recognized.

Salah isn't the sole nominee facing scrutiny. American boxer Terence Crawford made the list despite losing his WBC super-middleweight title after reportedly failing to meet sanctioning fee obligations.

2025 BBC Sports World Sport Star of the Year Nominees

Salah Seeking to Match Messi, Ronaldo, Pele

This prestigious accolade has been presented annually since 1960, when Australian middle-distance runner Herb Elliott became the inaugural World Sport Star honoree at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year celebration.

Throughout the following 65 years, only six football players have claimed this distinction. Caldentey could make history as the first women's player to earn this recognition, while Salah would join an elite group of legends.

Portugal's Eusébio became the first football player to claim the award after leading the scoring charts at the 1966 World Cup hosted in England.

Pelé, Brazil's football legend, earned the same recognition following his spectacular performance at the 1970 World Cup, with fellow Brazilian Ronaldo achieving similar success three decades later.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2014) and Lionel Messi (2022) both had their legendary status confirmed through the World Sport Star award, while Erling Haaland was the most recent football recipient, crowning his remarkable Premier League debut season with the BBC Sports recognition.

Every Footballer to Be Voted World Sports Star of the Year by BBC Sports