In a wide-ranging interview with L'Équipe published on Saturday, the Egyptian star also spoke candidly about his rivalry with former teammate Sadio Mané, the pressures surrounding his recent contract extension, and his enduring ambition to win the Ballon d’Or.
“This is the first time in my career I’ve put the league ahead of the Champions League,” Salah said. “Not being able to celebrate with our fans in 2020 because of the pandemic really hurt. I wanted to bring that joy back to the city. Nine months later—promise kept.”
Salah, 32, was instrumental in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign this season, topping the league charts with 28 goals and 18 assists in 35 appearances.
The title, Liverpool’s 20th, puts them level with Manchester United at the top of the English honours list.
‘A personal challenge’ amid contract uncertainty
The Egyptian forward, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, admitted the season held personal significance as it coincided with the final year of his contract.
“I made it a personal challenge. It could have been my last season here. But in Liverpool, what the fans want above all is the Premier League title,” he said.
Salah, who has scored 244 goals in 398 appearances for Liverpool—third in the club’s all-time scoring list—signed a new contract on 11 April, extending his stay beyond the 2024–25 season.
He described negotiations as “not easy,” adding: “In the end, all's well that ends well—we are champions and I'm staying for two more seasons.”
‘I’m sure I’m a Liverpool legend.’
When asked if he considers himself a Liverpool legend, Salah didn’t hesitate. “No—I’m sure I am,” he said. “What I feel from the fans is extraordinary. That’s what matters.”
He added that the pressure and speculation over his future may have helped sharpen his focus.
“The idea that this could be my last season pushed me to give everything. I told myself: if the club doesn’t want to extend me, fine—I’ll finish in the best possible way and leave through the front door.”
On Mane: ‘Yes, there was tension’
Salah also addressed longstanding rumours about a strained relationship with former teammate Sadio Mané, with whom he formed a formidable attacking trio alongside Roberto Firmino under Jürgen Klopp.
“Yes, there was tension,” Salah admitted. “But we were always professional—it didn’t affect the team. Off the pitch, we weren’t very close, but we respected each other.”
Responding to accusations of selfishness, he pointed out: “People can think what they want. But I was the player who gave Mané the most assists—18 in total.”
Ballon d’Or ambition sparked in Rome
Salah traced his desire to become the best back to conversing with his agent at Roma.
“He said, ‘If you move elsewhere, I believe you can win the Ballon d’Or.’ I thought he was crazy,” Salah recalled. “But it planted a seed. I started reading books, watching documentaries, trying to become not just a better footballer, but a better person.”
While he has been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or several times, Salah has yet to win the award. “It’s not in my hands,” he said, “but of course I’d like to win it—for my people.”
“Coming from a small village in Egypt, the Ballon d’Or felt impossible. Only when I came to Liverpool did I start thinking—maybe one day…”
Looking ahead
Now 32, Salah believes age is no barrier, citing past winners like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Karim Benzema, all of whom lifted the Ballon d’Or in their 30s.
“Next season is full of opportunities: defending the league title, the Champions League, the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and hopefully the World Cup in 2026,” he said.
“And you already know my ambition.”
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