Mohamed Salah has been shortlisted for World Sport Star of the Year just days after he criticised manager Arne Slot in an explosive interview with journalists.
Following a 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday, the Egyptian told reporters at Elland Road: "I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That's the third time. It's the first time in my career I think."
He added: "The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I'm on bench so I can say they haven't kept those promises."
Salah also revealed his relationship with Slot had broken down entirely: "I said many times before I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don't have any relationship."
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He is listed among six contenders from a wide range of sports shortlisted for the award.
Other names include Spain Women's midfielder Mariona Caldentey, US boxer Terence Crawford, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, Athletics star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Japanese baseballer Shohei Ohtani.
The Liverpool legend, who helped Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in the 2024-25 season, has now been shortlisted for the BBC award.
The "Egyptian King" scored 29 Premier League goals and broke a host of records, including becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot, the Playmaker award for most assists and the Premier League player of the season award in the same campaign.
Mohamed Salah has been shortlisted for World Sport Star of the Year
|REUTERS
He was also named as the PFA men's player of the year for a record third time and collected a third Football Writers' footballer of the year award.
The 33-year-old became the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history, overtaking former Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero in the process.
Salah has scored five goals in 18 appearances for Liverpool so far this season, but has found himself on the bench for three consecutive games.
Speaking at a press conference in Milan on Monday evening ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Inter at the San Siro, Slot addressed the controversy head-on.
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Mohamed Salah is a Liverpool legend | GETTYHe told reporters: "It was a surprise to me when I heard he gave the comments he gave."
When questioned about Salah's suggestion that someone at the club wants him gone, Slot remained measured: "The only one who can answer that is Mo himself."
Since Salah's bombshell interview on Saturday, contact between the pair has been minimal at best.
Slot revealed their sole exchange consisted merely of informing the 32-year-old that he would not be making the journey to Italy for the European fixture.
Arne Slot addressed the controversy head-on
| PAAsked to describe the nature of that conversation, the Liverpool boss was characteristically succinct: "A short one."
The forward had trained alongside his teammates earlier on Monday but was subsequently omitted from the travelling party that departed for Milan.
He added: "We have let him know that he isn't travelling with us. That's the only communication from us to him.
"Before Saturday the two of us have spoken a lot. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter."
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