Liverpool and Egypt superstar Mohamed Salah has revealed that he was shocked by the final 2021 Ballon d'Or results, with Lionel Messi taking home the prize in Paris.
Heading into the ceremony in the French capital in November last year, Salah was among the names mentioned as potential favourites for the prestigious award, along with Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski and Messi.
The 29-year-old, however, finished in only seventh place in the final standing, behind the likes of Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a recent interview, the Egyptian was unable to hide his confusion and dissatisfaction with the verdict, suggesting the basis upon which certain people vote should be questioned.
"I was shocked by the results, but there is nothing I can say," Salah told DMC.
"No one in the world expected that I would finish in seventh, but this is what happened.
"I feel that it is not 100% fair. There are many countries that have nothing to do with football and we do not know the basis for their voting, but I do not believe in conspiracy theories."
Salah further admitted to not being pleased about being excluded from the FIFPRO World XI in January this year.
"I do not know the criteria for the choices. I saw that I was not included in it. I was not happy, but what should I do," he added.
"I feel that if people see that I should be present and that the whole world is surprised by my absence, this is the most important. Sometimes I feel it's not fair, but there is nothing I can do."
Salah ranked fifth across Europe's top five leagues for the most goals scored in 2021, finishing the year with an impressive tally of 37 strikes in 53 matches at club level.
