Mohamed Salah is in the running for BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year, but will he actually lift the trophy? That's far from certain.
The award
goes to the non-British sportsperson who's made the biggest impact across all
sports in the past 12 months. Salah's up against some seriously talented
athletes from different disciplines, each with their own remarkable
achievements.
·
Mariona Caldentey (football) has enjoyed a breakthrough year, starring for Arsenal as they
lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League and secured domestic honours while
influencing Spain’s run in major international tournaments
·
Terence Crawford (boxing) achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first male
three-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era — a feat that puts him in
the same rarified air as legends like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
·
Armand Duplantis (pole vault) is the defending holder of this award, after an
extraordinary season that saw him break his own world record and dominate his
discipline.
·
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (track and field) has continued to push boundaries in the
400m hurdles and flat races, adding world titles to her growing collection.
·
Shohei Ohtani
(baseball) remains one of the most extraordinary dual-role players in sport,
dazzling fans both as a pitcher and hitter with historic performances in Major
League Baseball.
Why Salah
stands out
The
33-year-old Liverpool forward has had a season to remember. Last year, he
scored 29 Premier League goals and helped Liverpool secure a record-equalling
20th English top-flight title. But the goals alone don't tell the full story.
He became
the first player in Premier League history to win the Golden Boot, the
Playmaker Award (most assists), and Player of the Season all in one campaign.
It's a triple crown that showcases his complete game—not just as a goalscorer,
but as a creator and all-round performer.
He was also
named PFA Men's Player of the Year for a record third time and picked up
another Football Writers' Footballer of the Year accolade. These achievements
cement his place among the greats of English football and put him firmly in
contention for global recognition.
Only a
handful of footballers like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Erling Haaland
have been nominated for or won this award. That shows how rare it's for top
scorers to get recognised on the global stage alongside athletes from other
sports.
The
public vote advantage
Here's where
things get interesting. Unlike many elite sporting awards, World Sport Star of
the Year is decided entirely by public vote. That matters—a lot.
Salah's the
most recognisable name on the shortlist. His profile stretches far beyond UK
football fans. He's a global icon with hundreds of millions of followers across
Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. That visibility gives him a real
edge when voting opens.
Public votes
are often influenced by familiarity as much as achievement. Even casual sports
fans will recognise Salah instantly, whereas some of his rivals, despite
dominating their fields, might not carry the same household-name status outside
their sport.
The
verdict
Mohamed
Salah has a genuine chance of winning World Sport Star of the Year. His
achievements justify the nomination, but it's the public vote and his unmatched
global profile that could make the difference. In a field full of champions,
being the most recognisable name might just be the advantage that matters most.
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