Robert Pires: Ballon d’Or Missed Out on Mohamed Salah; Criticizes Mbappé’s Recent Performance
Arsenal and French national team legend Robert Pires has voiced his opinion on the recent Ballon d’Or awards, arguing that it’s the award itself that lost out by not featuring Mohamed Salah among the top candidates. Pires also commented on Kylian Mbappé’s current form, which has been met with criticism in both Spain and France and highlighted the difficulties Mbappé has faced adapting to a new league.
Speaking on the sports show El-Kora Ma’a Fayeq, Pires stated, “Mbappé is facing a lot of criticism, especially in Spain and France. This is to be expected because he hasn’t been performing at the level expected of him. Adapting to a new league and settling in is not always easy.”
Pires further commented on Mbappé’s desire to join Real Madrid, noting that the French star was aware of the competition he would face, particularly from Vinícius Junior, who plays in a similar position. He added, “Turning down a Real Madrid offer is almost unthinkable, and Mbappé knew he’d have to compete with a player like Vinícius.”
Switching his focus to Salah, Pires praised the Egyptian star’s remarkable consistency and impact, calling him “the best player in the English Premier League and one of the best players in the world.” Pires expressed disappointment that Salah was excluded from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, asserting that “the Ballon d’Or missed out on Salah, not the other way around.”
Pires’s remarks echo a sentiment shared by many fans and analysts who feel that Salah’s sustained excellence deserves wider recognition. As Salah continues to shine with Liverpool, many believe his contributions have made him an undeniable figure in global football, highlighting the competitive nature and standards of modern awards.
This article summarizes Pires’s thoughts on Salah, Mbappé, and the Ballon d'Or, focusing on his praise for Salah and his critique of Mbappé’s current form. Let me know if you need any changes!