Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has confirmed that the Champions League final against Real Madrid will determine who wins the Ballon d’Or between him and French striker Karim Benzema.
The Egyptian star admitted that everyone at Liverpool wanted to face Real Madrid in the continental championship final because the pain of the 2018 final is still in the memory of the players.
Real Madrid booked their spot in the Paris final alongside Liverpool as the Spanish side beat Manchester City in the semi-final, with Liverpool qualifying at the expense of Villarreal.
And the final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool is a repeat of the 2018 final in Kyiv, which Real Madrid won 3-1 after Salah left the field with a shoulder injury in the first half after heavy interference from defender Sergio Ramos who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Paris final on May 28 is also expected to win the Ballon d’Or between Salah and Benzema.
The Real Madrid striker has scored 43 goals in 43 games in all competitions this season, including 15 in the Champions League, while Salah has scored 30 goals in 46 games.
Salah told Sky Sports: “Last time I lost the Ballon d’Or because I scored 40 goals and didn’t win a title. But I have to focus on the main thing: winning trophies for Liverpool and then the rest.
He added: “This is my best season at Liverpool, the goals, the high numbers, the way I created chances, the highest tally in the Premier League and I’m always looking to break records and have a thirst for something new.”
Liverpool have a chance to win three more post-League Cup titles when they take on Chelsea in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 14 May and are also a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City. in addition to reaching the Champions League final.