Mohamed Salah in running for major BBC award days after explosive Liverpool interview - Mirror Online

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has been nominated for the BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year. The nomination comes hot on the heels of an explosive interview which has prompted speculation over his Anfield future.

The 33 year old Egyptian finds himself in esteemed company, with boxing sensation Terence Crawford also making the cut. Yet, Salah's nomination is set against a backdrop of controversy following his recent remarks where he claimed to have been "thrown under the bus".

"I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes," Salah said after Liverpool's weekend draw at Leeds."That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think.

"I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, it seems like the club has thrown me under the bus."

Salah is one of two footballers on the list, with Spain women's star Mariona Caldentey the other after impressing in her country's run to the Euro 2025 final. Crawford is the only boxer on the list, with the other nominations going to pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, athletics ace Sydney McLaughlin-Nevrone and baseball icon Shohei Ohtani.

Salah has been left out of Liverpool's squad for their midweek Champions League game against Inter Milan. It remains to be seen whether he has made his final appearance for the Reds, but manager Arne Slot was asked about the matter in his pre-match press conference.

"We have let him know that he isn't travelling with us," Slot told reporters. "That's the only communication from us to him. Before Saturday the two of us have spoken a lot. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter."

He added: "When I didn't play him anymore, usually players don't like the manager that much, but he was very respectful to the staff members and to his team-mates and he trained really hard so it was a bit of a surprise when I heard he made those comments."

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was also asked about Salah before the Inter match. "I didn't speak to Mo about it. We spend so much time together, not so much away from the training ground, but there's a bond. I will speak with him, but that will be private," the Brazilian said.

"I hope he plays for the club again, but that's a situation between Mo and the club. I don't think his goal was to disrespect anyone. He had the freedom to talk how he feels about his own situation. Now it's important how we react."

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