Mohamed Salah shortlisted for World Sport Star of the Year after explosive interview
Mohamed Salah has been shortlisted for World Sport Star of the Year just days after he criticised manager Arne Slot in an explosive interview with journalists, reports BritPanorama.
Following a 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday, the Egyptian expressed his disbelief about spending the match on the bench. “I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think.”
He further indicated dissatisfaction with the club’s commitments, stating, “The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on the bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.”
Salah also revealed the deterioration of his relationship with Slot: “I said many times before I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship.”
He is one of six contenders from various sports in the running for the award. Other notable nominees include Spain women’s midfielder Mariona Caldentey, US boxer Terence Crawford, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani.
The Liverpool forward, who played a key role in the club’s achievement of a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in the 2024-25 season, has been nominated for the BBC award. Salah scored 29 goals in the Premier League and set multiple records, becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot, the Playmaker award for most assists, and the Premier League player of the season award in the same campaign.
The 33-year-old has also been named PFA Men’s Player of the Year for a record third time and has secured a third Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year award. Salah became the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history, surpassing former Manchester City star Sergio Aguero.
So far this season, Salah has scored five goals in 18 appearances for Liverpool but has been on the bench for three consecutive games. Speaking at a press conference in Milan on Monday evening ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League encounter with Inter at the San Siro, Slot addressed the ongoing controversy.
“It was a surprise to me when I heard he gave the comments he gave,” Slot remarked. When asked about Salah’s implication that someone at the club wants him gone, Slot remained diplomatic: “The only one who can answer that is Mo himself.” Since Salah’s interview on Saturday, communication between the two has been minimal.
Slot disclosed their only interaction consisted of informing Salah that he would not be making the trip to Italy for the European fixture. “A short one,” he described, noting that they had previously held multiple conversations.
The forward trained with teammates on Monday but was subsequently excluded from the squad heading to Milan. “We have let him know that he isn’t travelling with us. That’s the only communication from us to him,” Slot added.
In the world of football, tensions often arise amid the triumphs, highlighting the fine line between personal ambition and team dynamics. Salah’s situation serves as a reminder of how even the most celebrated players may find themselves grappling with unexpected challenges, both on and off the pitch.
