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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has potentially ruffled the feathers of club legend Mohamed Salah with his Ballon d'Or forecast, backing Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele for the prestigious individual honor.
The Egyptian silenced his doubters with a record-shattering campaign for the Reds last term, securing the Premier League crown in Arne Slot's inaugural season.
Given Liverpool's impressive Champions League run, Salah was considered a genuine candidate for the accolade following a scintillating start to the previous season, where he registered 34 goals and 23 assists across 52 outings. Nevertheless, PSG's quarterfinal victory over the Reds provided opportunities for the likes of Barcelona's Raphinha and Dembele to gain ground in the race.
Following the opening phase of Europe's premier competition, with the Ballon d'Or recipient due to be revealed on Monday, Carragher and fellow CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry backed the French winger for glory.
When discussing potential winners, the former Arsenal forward was unequivocal in his assessment, stating: "Very different [a picture of six Dembeles then pops up].
"Those are my six contenders, I don't even have to talk."
Meanwhile, Carragher's selection proved more measured, acknowledging Salah's achievements whilst ultimately favouring Dembele for his contribution to PSG's domestic supremacy and breakthrough Champions League success.
"I think, for me, they're the top six players [Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Kylian Mbappe, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, and Lamine Yamal] who I think I watched for the majority of last season, probably in this competition, also for their club form as well," he said.
"I think it will be Dembele on the back of the sort of season that Paris Saint-Germain had as well, but all of those players have got a decent shout [of winning the Ballon d'Or]."
The former Liverpool defender and the current star of Slot's side found themselves in a public exchange during the Egyptian's contract saga.
During an episode of 'Monday Night Football,' the 47-year-old stated: "You know what I would say. I would say Virgil van Dijk has come out of this whole sort of situation this season as captain of the club in a higher esteem for me.
"In the way he's conducted himself, in the way of his performances on the pitch, in the way he's led the team. The way he was yesterday as well and he hasn't got involved in too much around this all. It's obviously a really important time for all three players.
"But I think rather than speak about Trent Alexander-Arnold or Mo Salah I'd probably like to pay tribute to Virgil van Dijk.
"I think he's come across as a real statesman. I think the way he's handled it. He's been asked questions and he's not been away, he's here to win league and he's doing his utmost for Liverpool. And fingers crossed, he signs. But I think the other two could maybe look at Virgil van Dijk and take a leaf out of his book."
Salah quote-tweeted the post and responded: "I'm starting to think you're obsessed with me."
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