Manchester United's Casemiro tips Premier League star over Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele for Ballon d'Or - 'He scores so much'
Updated 17/08/2025 at 17:22 GMT+1
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has weighed in on what he feels is a "very difficult" debate for this year's Men's Ballon d'Or winner, but ultimately landed on a fellow Premier League star above the likes of Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, or indeed the other eight Paris Saint-Germain players who were included on the 30-player shortlist. The Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on September 22.
Highlights: Isak absent as Newcastle unable to break through 10-man Villa in season opener
Video credit: TNT Sports
Casemiro snubbed the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal as he picked out his favourite for this year's Men's Ballon d'Or award.
The Manchester United midfielder said deciding who should win world football's most prestigious individual honour this year is "very difficult," but ultimately decided Liverpool's talisman Mohamed Salah should receive the trophy in Paris on September 22.
"In my opinion, in this moment for me, Salah," Casemiro told British GQ. "He's the best player with his impact in this game. He scores so much, assists so much."
Salah recorded a staggering 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool last season, guiding Arne Slot's side to the club's record-equalling 20th league title.
His 29 goals and 18 assists in the top-flight set a new Premier League record for goal contributions in a 38-match season. His 47 goals and assists equalled the record set by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, which they achieved in a 42-game campaign.
However, where Salah's Ballon d'Or stake may fall short is that the Premier League trophy was the only silverware won by Liverpool last season.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/07/29/image-def6090c-4f98-4bfb-bb0e-04598242f554-85-2560-1440.png)
Ballon d'Or Explainer: How the 2025 men's and women's winners will be determined
Video credit: TNT Sports
Despite their fine performances in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain ousted the Merseyside giants in the round of 16.
They were also beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, while Plymouth Argyle claimed a surprise FA Cup victory against Slot's below-strength side in the fourth round.
"I think Liverpool didn't win this trophy, for example the Champions League or another trophy, because he [Salah] dropped off a little in the second part of the season," Casemiro added.
- Gyokeres v Sesko: Have big name striker signings picked right clubs in Man Utd and Arsenal?
- Reijnders & Haaland star as City claim statement win
But the Brazil midfielder ultimately thought Salah was "the more balanced in the season," backing the Egypt international to win his maiden Ballon d'Or.
Salah will contest nine PSG players in the hunt for the honour, including Dembele, who netted 35 goals last season, one of those an equaliser against Liverpool to send their UEFA Champions League tie to penalties.
Yamal is also among the favourites after helping Barcelona to a domestic treble. If the Spaniard was to take the award, he would become the youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history.
Salah continued where he left off last season by netting in Liverpool's season-opening 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday.
Watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement