The football world is waiting, Paris is ready, the red carpet is rolled out, and the famous golden trophy is shining under the lights. The Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in football, is about to be handed out again, and for Liverpool Football Club, it is a night that could bring history, heartbreak, or both. The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris will be the stage, the biggest stars of world football will gather in their suits and dresses, and somewhere inside the envelopes lies the name of the winner. Only one man will leave with the golden ball in his hands, but for Liverpool, there are four names on the list of possible winners, four men whose season has been strong enough to earn recognition from the world. Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, and Florian Wirtz — these are the Reds who will sit nervously in the theatre, waiting to hear if their names are called. Behind them, in another category, Alisson Becker is also waiting for his fate in the Yashin Trophy, the award for the world’s best goalkeeper. Their manager, Arne Slot, is nominated for Coach of the Year. Liverpool is everywhere in Paris tonight, but will they leave with glory or disappointment?
The spotlight, of course, is on Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian King, the man who has carried Liverpool on his back for years, once again finds himself in the middle of the Ballon d’Or conversation. This is not the first time, and maybe not the last, but it might just be the closest he has ever come to winning it. Salah is in the top group of contenders, his name mentioned alongside Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha. His season has been magnificent, his goals, his assists, his leadership, and his influence unmatched in England. For Liverpool fans, there is only one dream: to see Salah finally crowned the best player in the world. Egypt’s national team manager, Hossam Hassan, has already said it loudly — he believes Salah should win, he believes his star has shone the brightest. But football is never simple, and PSG’s Dembele, who won multiple trophies, stands as Salah’s biggest rival. There is fear among Liverpool supporters that history may repeat itself, that once again, Salah may be overlooked in favor of another. Yet tonight, no one truly knows. The organizers have kept the winner a secret, tighter than ever before after last year’s controversy with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. This year, there will be no leaks, no early celebrations. Every nominee will sit in Paris not knowing whether their name will be called, until the envelope is opened.
But Salah is not alone in representing Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk, the great Dutch defender, is also among the 30 names. His story is one of resilience, leadership, and excellence at the back. Liverpool won the Premier League title last season, and Van Dijk was central to it. His presence in defense was unshakable, his leadership inspiring, his calmness unmatched. He has been here before; in 2022, he finished 22nd, a ranking many felt was far too low for a player of his caliber. Now, he is back on the list, and many believe he has a good chance of breaking into the top 10. For a defender in a world dominated by goalscorers, that would be no small achievement. Van Dijk himself may not expect to win, but just being nominated again is recognition of his greatness.
Then comes Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool’s Argentine midfielder. For some, his nomination was a surprise. But those who have watched him closely know that it is nothing less than what he deserves. His calmness on the ball, his intelligence, his vision — he has become the heartbeat of Liverpool’s midfield. Last year, he was the man who carried Argentina’s hopes after their World Cup triumph, and at Liverpool, he has grown into one of the most important players. For him, the Ballon d’Or night will not be about winning, but about recognition. Even if he finishes low on the list, it will be a proud moment for him, for his family, for Argentina, and for Liverpool. Wearing the number 10 shirt at Anfield is no small responsibility, and now he carries it into Paris with pride.
Florian Wirtz is another Liverpool name in the nominations, though his story is a little different. His nomination was earned not for what he has done in Liverpool red, but for what he achieved with Bayer Leverkusen before making his move. Wirtz was one of Europe’s most exciting young players, dazzling in the Bundesliga, leading Leverkusen to heights they had not reached in decades. But since coming to Liverpool, his star has dimmed slightly in recent weeks, and he has not yet found his best form under Arne Slot. Still, his nomination is a reminder of his talent, and even if he finishes low in the ranking, he will take pride in being counted among the best 30 players in the world.
Outside the main award, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is also waiting. For years, he has been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and once again, he is nominated for the Yashin Trophy. But he faces a strong rival: Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG’s giant goalkeeper who has been in outstanding form. Many expect Donnarumma to win, leaving Alisson disappointed once again. Yet for Liverpool fans, Alisson’s consistency, his saves, and his calmness in goal make him a winner every season, trophy or no trophy.