Bukayo Saka still behind rival Premier League winger in Ballon d’Or race
Bukayo Saka can ‘one day’ win the Ballon d’Or but he is still behind one prolific Premier League player to win the 2025 gong. That’s according to Ally McCoist who, despite an Arsenal teammate tipping Saka for the Golden Ball, insists Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah is in a league of his own in the English top flight. Saka has been in flying form this season and Arsenal teammate Jorginho has tipped him to win the Ballon d’OrGetty Salah is one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players – can he challenge for the Ballon d’Or next year?Getty McCoist joined Sam Matterface on talkSPORT Breakfast, where they discussed Gunners midfielder Jorginho tipping ‘world class’ Saka to be honoured as the best footballer in the world, and end the 23-year wait for an English Ballon d’Or winner. “[Saka] is unbelievable… world class,” the Italy international told Rio Ferdinand on his podcast. “I said to him, ‘I want to see you win the Ballon d’Or’. I believe in him. “He’s becoming like a machine for us and I hope he becomes like that for England as well. His talent, his hunger and his quality is just so high and, on top of that, the person he is, he just deserves the whole word, everything. I’m there cheering for him.” McCoist has no doubts about Saka’s quality and stature as one of the Premier League’s best players. However, he admitted his belief that the 23-year-old forward is not even Arsenal’s most important player, while he also feels Liverpool icon Salah is a step above him. “Yes, without a doubt, one day [he could win the Ballon d’Or] – he’s different class,” McCoist said. “He really is, he’s fantastic. His stats are incredible. “What I would say is, and I get a little bit of stick sometimes from Arsenal fans, I don’t think he’s Arsenal’s most important player. I think that’s Martin Odegaard. “I think Saka is a wonderful talent, I enjoy watching him but I think the one player they can’t do without for several games is, as we’ve seen, Odegaard. “I think they’ve got key players all over the place, the goalkeeper, I think the two centre-backs are vital to them. I think Odegaard is the most important player, Declan Rice and that as well. “But I think Saka is fantastic, could he win the Ballon d’Or at some stage? Without a doubt he could, but I’ll be brutally honest with you, I think at this moment in time Mo Salah in that position is probably slightly better. The pair are somewhat close with their Premier League stats this season “That’ll cause a bit of havoc. And that’s not a swipe in anyway shape or form on Saka, his form has been terrific and he’ll continue to do great and progress, but I just think Salah at this moment in time is on top of his game.” Matterface followed McCoist’s take by questioning whether Saka gets the ‘headlines he deserves’. “He’s so consistent,” Matterface said. “He’s only 23, he’s humble, and he goes about his business in such an unassuming way. “Because he doesn’t have the PR burnishing of some of the other big young talents in this country do, I don’t think he always gets the recognition he deserves. “Ten Premier League assists at this stage is nothing short of outstanding. The combination between him and Odegaard, since Odegaard has come back they’re almost symbiotic.” Bukayo Saka provided two assists against West Ham on SaturdaytalkSPORT McCoist continued: “Between the two of them [Saka and Odegaard] there is absolutely no doubt that they are vital to any success Arsenal may have this season. “Just because I’m saying at this moment in time, I think Salah, it is no way shape or form an attack on Saka, Saka could quite easily go on and win a Ballon d’Or because his football is fantastic and more power to him. “He’s at the top of his form and I still think there’s improvement in him.” Saka has truly been a formidable force this season, McCoist isn’t wrong there. In all competitions so far this season, he boasts an impressive seven goals and 11 assists in 18 appearances. However, Salah’s numbers make for even better reading, with the Liverpool man contributing 13 goals and 11 assists in 20 matches in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup. Saka’s pure talent was on true display at the weekend during Arsenal’s trip to West Ham. Saka assisted twice and scored a penalty in a rampant 5-2 victory for the Gunners. After scoring from the spot, Saka relished in the moment and could be seen appearing to laugh at the Hammers fans, exuding confidence. Salah’s ongoing impact at Liverpool has been diluted with rumours of his Anfield departure in recent weeks. His contract at Anfield expires in the summer, and it appears there has been little progress with a new deal to keep him at the club – recently admitting in a bombshell interview that he is ‘more out than in’ at the moment.
Bukayo Saka can ‘one day’ win the Ballon d’Or but he is still behind one prolific Premier League player to win the 2025 gong.
That’s according to Ally McCoist who, despite an Arsenal teammate tipping Saka for the Golden Ball, insists Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah is in a league of his own in the English top flight.
McCoist joined Sam Matterface on talkSPORT Breakfast, where they discussed Gunners midfielder Jorginho tipping ‘world class’ Saka to be honoured as the best footballer in the world, and end the 23-year wait for an English Ballon d’Or winner.
“[Saka] is unbelievable… world class,” the Italy international told Rio Ferdinand on his podcast. “I said to him, ‘I want to see you win the Ballon d’Or’. I believe in him.
“He’s becoming like a machine for us and I hope he becomes like that for England as well. His talent, his hunger and his quality is just so high and, on top of that, the person he is, he just deserves the whole word, everything. I’m there cheering for him.”
McCoist has no doubts about Saka’s quality and stature as one of the Premier League’s best players.
However, he admitted his belief that the 23-year-old forward is not even Arsenal’s most important player, while he also feels Liverpool icon Salah is a step above him.
“Yes, without a doubt, one day [he could win the Ballon d’Or] – he’s different class,” McCoist said. “He really is, he’s fantastic. His stats are incredible.
“What I would say is, and I get a little bit of stick sometimes from Arsenal fans, I don’t think he’s Arsenal’s most important player. I think that’s Martin Odegaard.
“I think Saka is a wonderful talent, I enjoy watching him but I think the one player they can’t do without for several games is, as we’ve seen, Odegaard.
“I think they’ve got key players all over the place, the goalkeeper, I think the two centre-backs are vital to them. I think Odegaard is the most important player, Declan Rice and that as well.
“But I think Saka is fantastic, could he win the Ballon d’Or at some stage? Without a doubt he could, but I’ll be brutally honest with you, I think at this moment in time Mo Salah in that position is probably slightly better.
“That’ll cause a bit of havoc. And that’s not a swipe in anyway shape or form on Saka, his form has been terrific and he’ll continue to do great and progress, but I just think Salah at this moment in time is on top of his game.”
Matterface followed McCoist’s take by questioning whether Saka gets the ‘headlines he deserves’.
“He’s so consistent,” Matterface said.
“He’s only 23, he’s humble, and he goes about his business in such an unassuming way.
“Because he doesn’t have the PR burnishing of some of the other big young talents in this country do, I don’t think he always gets the recognition he deserves.
“Ten Premier League assists at this stage is nothing short of outstanding. The combination between him and Odegaard, since Odegaard has come back they’re almost symbiotic.”
McCoist continued: “Between the two of them [Saka and Odegaard] there is absolutely no doubt that they are vital to any success Arsenal may have this season.
“Just because I’m saying at this moment in time, I think Salah, it is no way shape or form an attack on Saka, Saka could quite easily go on and win a Ballon d’Or because his football is fantastic and more power to him.
“He’s at the top of his form and I still think there’s improvement in him.”
Saka has truly been a formidable force this season, McCoist isn’t wrong there.
In all competitions so far this season, he boasts an impressive seven goals and 11 assists in 18 appearances.
However, Salah’s numbers make for even better reading, with the Liverpool man contributing 13 goals and 11 assists in 20 matches in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Saka’s pure talent was on true display at the weekend during Arsenal’s trip to West Ham.
Saka assisted twice and scored a penalty in a rampant 5-2 victory for the Gunners.
After scoring from the spot, Saka relished in the moment and could be seen appearing to laugh at the Hammers fans, exuding confidence.
Salah’s ongoing impact at Liverpool has been diluted with rumours of his Anfield departure in recent weeks.
His contract at Anfield expires in the summer, and it appears there has been little progress with a new deal to keep him at the club – recently admitting in a bombshell interview that he is ‘more out than in’ at the moment.
