Deeney has faced backlash from former English striker Adebayo Akinfenwa after saying Salah could be overlooked for the Ballon d’Or.
The ex-Watford forward has previously stated that he doesn’t consider Mohamed Salah “world-class,” though he acknowledged the forward as a strong candidate for football’s most prestigious individual award. However, a clip of Deeney discussing why Salah might be overlooked has gained traction online, sparking heated reactions.
Speaking about the Egyptian’s standing in world football, Deeney suggested that, despite his outstanding numbers, Salah lacks the magic that defines players like Thierry Henry or Eden Hazard.
“Salah wasn’t even in the top ten for the African Player of the Year votes. I just feel like he’s harshly treated because, when you watch Mo Salah, he’s great and his numbers are sensational, but he doesn’t give you that feeling like a Thierry Henry or an Eden Hazard,” Deeney said.
“His consistency is unbelievable, but he doesn’t give you that warm feeling inside, like: ‘Oh my God, look at how great and gracious this person is.’ Unfortunately, that is what’s holding him back.”
Deeney’s remarks drew a strong response from former footballer and outspoken Liverpool fan Adebayo Akinfenwa, who dismissed the notion that Salah lacks grace.
“Where is this narrative that Mo Salah is not gracious?” Akinfenwa questioned in a video response.
“What is not gracious about Salah controlling a 60-yard pass while a player’s marking him? What is not gracious about his vision? Every striker misses chances, but if you give current Mo Salah five chances, he scores two, assists two, and misses one. Right now, Mo Salah has to be the front-runner for the Ballon d’Or.”
https://twitter.com/daRealAkinfenwa/status/1895159924616770015
Addressing the backlash, Troy Deeney insisted his comments were not meant as a criticism but rather an explanation of why Salah might face obstacles in winning the award. “The big man is entitled to his opinion,” Deeney said of Akinfenwa.
“My point was about the perception of Salah, not his ability. When I say ‘gracious,’ I mean that rare quality that makes you stop and say, ‘Wow.’ Like Hazard at Chelsea when he was dropping shoulders and dribbling past defenders.
“There have been games this season where Salah has been poor, then he scores and everyone forgets. And that’s fine, because that’s his job. My opinion is that I think he goes on to win the Ballon d’Or. I think he deserves to win it this year. But when I watch him, he just doesn’t give me that warm feeling. That’s just my opinion. I don’t have an agenda against Mo Salah. I think he’s been excellent this year and will win everything.”
Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League title charge, tallying 30 goals and 22 assists across all competitions this season. His consistency has put him as frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with many believing that a successful finish to the season for Liverpool could make him the first African winner since George Weah in 1995.